Bedtime has changed a bit around here in the last few weeks. A few weeks back our evenings were spent watching Food Network, reading, sitting at the computer and thinking about the day to come. Now our evenings are spent reading to kids, talking about the day, and praying. Allen and I usually Divide and Conquer! I read to Rigo and Allen reads to Romeo. We then spend some time with Roselyn and close out the evening with Steph. It has become somewhat of a routine.
Reading to our older daughters was one our favorite parts about being a parent. It is such a warm and cozy time. This was definitely one of the things Allen and I were looking forward to as we took a step backward and had the chance to read to young ones again. Bedtime is indeed very time-consuming these days, but we are really loving it! Some of our best discussions have come at nighttime. We talk about God. We talk about family. We talk about CSC and the Philippines. We talk about life in Cambridge, Minnesota. It is the best! For our kids, it is a time that has been missing from their lives for a long, long time. It may actually be the first time ever!
For Allen and me, it is one more chance to read to our children and enjoy the closeness that comes with reading and kissing them goodnight. Having raised older kids, our perspective is different this time around. I would say that bedtime is one of the more precious and important times of the day for a parent and child. Maybe we didn't appreciate that the first time around...? We get one chance... and then they are gone! This picture of Rodrigo was not at bedtime, but I think it looks warm and fuzzy...much like the reading time that happens at bedtime.
4 comments:
I so agree about bedtime reading. It's the best, and one of my very favorite "mom memories", too. Good for you and Allen that you are making time for this. What a wonderful way to reinforce the blessings of family to your children.
Mary, Love the story of bedtime..Something we have done that has been fun at our house is...we get a little overloaded with tuckin in 6, so we have nights where they tuck us in...they all come in and Troy and I lay on the bed. We read, but mostly chat, they think it's cool to "tuck us in." Just a fun thing once in awhile when the "routine" gets repetive and long...I know I will miss these days.
I agree with bedtime being the most precious part about raising kids. Now that Jonah and Elizabeth are beyond the years of reading to them we still gather as a family in one room of our home, usually the living room or our bedroom and we talk about our day, share hopes for the next day and always end our time in prayer. I'm so glad we have kept this going from the start. It is a time we always cherish! Life gets too crazy to let go of the little things that make it so wonderful!
Becky
What a great way to prepare for a night's sleep. (For all of you). Sharing those intimate moments with each other equip everyone to have a better day tomorrow knowing God and our family are everpresent in whatever we may face! You and Allen are amazing! We love you! Rox
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