Fluther Parents. Will you share your bedtime rituals?

I read them a story or have them read me a story. Then I act like I’m gonna kiss them on the cheek and pretend to miss… and say “Oh no, I missed…” .. then on the third try I kiss em on the forehead and say “I gotcha!” ... then I say “goodnight .. I love you” .. it usually gives them a good giggle before bed and they ask for me to do that every night now..

It does not, however, work on my wife.. XD

When my boys were younger, I would play/sing to them the Curious George soundtrack on my guitar. Their favorite was “Supposed to Be.” Worked for three years straight!

With my oldest (3 and a half years old) after bathtime, he has to say good night to grand aunt and great grandma, then he gets to choose 3 books he wants to read through, which he does aloud (not that he reads, but he knows the stories)..then grandma, mama, papa have to sit next to him for about a minute each…then lights are off and I run in a lot and give him secret kissies..with my youngest, he goes to sleep after he eats

Years ago it was 20 mins worth of singin’ and rockin’ OR it was 2 short books, like Dr. Seuss. Then get into your bed, kisses and hugs and see ya in the morning. He really enjoyed his bed. I never had a hard time with him going to bed. He was such a good baby/toddler!!! He is a typical teenager now and he hates the “bed time rules” HAHAHAHA! <<SHRUGS>>

Well, tonight I let my son fall asleep in bed with me…but mainly so I could get him to sleep quickly so I could do homework.

My son is almost 2½, I usually put him in his crib..he cries and whines. But, I sit next to the crib, and turn his lullaby music on. I then read him three books…lately it’s been The Giving Tree, Goodnight Moon, and a third book of his choice from the shelves (he insists on the first two every single night though) He also wants to usually sleep with some toys, usually a train or two…he sometimes wants to bring a book into the crib..and he’ll read it to himself once I leave the room.
I tuck him in, snug as a bug in a rug. And tell him sweet dreams and that I love him. That’s usually the routine we have.

@casheroo “The giving tree” is a GREAT book! My son loved that one too!

When they were little it was a nice long story snuggled together in the bed. A kiss goodnight and a book on tape playing until they went to sleep.

Now it’s wake me up when you get home so I know you are safe. Shut off the lights and keep the racket down! Us old folks are trying to sleep :)

I like to turn the stove’s pilot light and tell the kids to wait for me in the kitchen.

By the time I arrive everyone is fast asleep and ready to be toted off to bed.

My kids are grown now…But I found this to be VERY effective at making them fall asleep. First, I tell them to hold still. Then I pat their eyes shut with my fingers. When they open them again, I pat them shut again…and again…and again.

Finally, I say “I’m going to have to kiss those eyes shut, but first, I have to get ready.” I begin to slobber and lick my lips, and finally after my lips are really sloppy, I say, OK now, hold still, cuz I’m going to have to kiss your eyes shut so you can go to sleep.

It’s funny. They always scream, and shut their eyes tight and never open them again all night. I haven’t had to kiss a kid’s eyes shut yet. It works, and they love it.