Bedtime Ritual

Saturday, July 5th -2008

We have a nightly ritual that we follow to get Joe into bed at night.   I find that it helps to follow a pattern.  He knows what to expect and he knows when it's time to wind down and get ready for bed.  If he gets everything done in a timely manner then it leaves time for a show before bed.  This, of course, is his favorite part of the nightly ritual.  If he is too slow, then no show.  I see it as an incentive to get him to move faster.  Most of the time it works.  Sometimes he is just too distracted.  Tonight (and most nights) it's Arthur.  This is the one show from his childhood (his way younger childhood), that he will still watch.  I think he picks it as his bedtime show because there is nothing too scary in it - nothing nightmare inducing.   He has such an active imagination.