Apr. 6, 2006 - Bedtime
Something has to be done, bedtime is killing us!
With Mallory we trained her to go to bed and stay there without anyone. Then when Justin & Joshua were about 2 & 3, I started to read to them every night as they were going to sleep. I read each night until about 2 yrs ago (my dh started having seizures and I lost stopped alot of our routines due to long stretches of having to care for him). Now, not the older 3, but the rest need mom/dad to sit with them until they fall asleep ~ this can take up to 3 hours. All our evening is spent in the bedrooms and we are irritated and tired when we come out! This past July we started moving out of the room alittle each night ~ and made it to where we were sitting in the doorway. In Aug. my MIL died and then in Oct. my FIL died. Things haven't been the same since! Now the younger 4 wake at night and won't go back to sleep without daddy laying with them.
Game plan for tonight ~ read to them ~ embrase the time with them! And include in our prayer time with them a specific prayer that the Lord helps them to sleep the whole night through!
Last night after they were asleep Bob and I went to Wal-Mart. Mallory babysat for us. We got a small flashlight for me to read by. Tonight I will go to Mardels (Christian discount store) to pick up our prepaid copy of Chronicals of Narnia and a new book. We have read the first 22 books of Wally McDoogle and they have about 3 more, so I think we will start there. The kids love these books 
.
Speaking of books ~ I got a new one I am reading. Boundaries with Teens by Dr. John Townsend. I must say it's pretty good so far. I am trying to prepare myself ~ so far all we have is attitude, but that is enough! I was a VERY troubled teen and got into alot of trouble. I want better for my children without having to sit on top of them to achieve it! I wasn't prepared for the world when I left home and got married (both at 18), then my first baby at 19. I had no boundaries....I don't want that for my children. So my goal for this book is to learn how to help them have boundaries in their life that line up with scripture!
Well, breakfast is over and we need to talk about a reward system. They seem less energetic to help lately and some not so nice tones with each other. So, we bought fear factor, super hero, and pop flavored ice cream last night. If they spend the whole day with a cheerful heart, they will get to have an ice cream before bed ~ also if the little ones spend the whole night in their own bed without needing daddy to lay with them for 3 nights ~ they will get an ice cream.
I use to see these as bribes and hated to do things like this. Well, one day in my prayer time I was reading about the promises God has made to us. Then it hit me ~ would I continue to follow Christ without the reward of Heaven???? NO! So there you go....but I still had to look up bribe & reward in the dictionary.
Bribe ~ give money or gifts to someone so that the person will do something for you.
Reward ~ something that is given in return for good
So based on the definitions I concluded at bribe is getting your way on a moments notice and a reward is giving something preplanned for training (I just love my ability to rationalize). Well, better go talk to the children.
Have a wonderful day in the Lord!
