Post 8 - Winding them up

If you go by the experts, you need to have a bedtime routine with children. You need to do the standard bath, put on PJ's, read a book, cuddle, and help the child calm down. Once the child is relaxed, (s)he will fall asleep quickly.

The experts are right, but a strict routine for me is boring. And more often than not, I end up doing the opposite of what is suggested above.

For example, we do a bath, but instead of putting on PJ's, we dress them up in twirly dresses and play loud music for them to let off some steam :).

{Sorry Ramesh, but it's simply too tempting to see the son in such cute outfits. And he obliges without any issues :)}.

And instead of cuddling, we start playing hike n seek, tickling each other under the darkness of the blanket, and bursting out in laughter. The kids in the below collage are in anticipation of the huge blanket falling over them. They cozied up, and had a blast tickling each other.

A lot of times it's just Roughhousing. A must in my opinion...to keep their relationship healthy and strong.

I admit, I tend to wind them up at bedtime. Thankfully, after a few minutes of my antics, the husband takes over and works on winding them down. He is good at telling them stories, and he is also patient with them while reading books. In a few minutes, they transform from my mad monsters to the most adorable sleepy babies on the planet.

And because I've exhausted them before this transition happens, they fall asleep quickly.

Life is really about these fleeting moments in your daily life. Moments which have warmth, joy and love - all neatly packaged for you to cherish.....not just today but for years to come!