So, my kids love routine. If they know what is expected, they are usually more likely to do what is expected of them without complaint.
A few weeks ago I decided we have to change some things and get some things figured out better. See, I am the world’s WORST at remembering to get my kids to brush their teeth. I usually just forget all together, or I don’t remember till they are laying down already tucked in, so I just think, we’ll just do it as soon as they get up..which never happens. ~That probably isn’t the best thing to admit, but it’s true.. Anyway.
I remember thinking a few weeks ago {while driving home late, telling my son that he has to get right in bed when we get home and not cry about it..} thinking, what did we do when I was little..
We would be driving home late and I remember mom saying “as soon as we get home, ..Pajamas on, Brush Teeth, Say Prayers, In Bed”. That was our chant growing up. I thought, what do my kids have to do.. pajamas on brush teeth, say prayers, get in bed..but they have to go potty too. Gid still goes to bed with a Sippy cup, he has since he was in diapers and has only wet the bed once! But I am sure to make him go to the bathroom before he climbs in bed!
So we came up with our little chant! “Pajamas, Teeth, Potty, Prayer, Bed”. I had to walk him through it a few times the first couple nights, we pound our fist into our hand and say “Pajamas, Teeth, Potty, Prayer, Bed!” He caught on quick and LOVES it! E does too! They LOVE LOVE LOVE brushing their teeth..and they always know what is next. It has helped me help them get it done every night as well, because that is the way the chant goes.. it just has to happen! Sometimes (teasingly) I’ll say.. “Okay, go get pajamas on and go potty and get in bed.” Gid says, “NO MOM! It’s Pajamas, TEETH, potty, PRAYERS, bed!”
Anyway..that was a long schpiel to tell you my kids bedtime routine, but it is wonderful! And they climb right in. It’s like…
…magic!
