Snuggle Nights
It's typical for hubby to be gone 1 or 2 evenings a week, and since
becoming a mama, those evenings are usually the most challenging--by the
time dinner is finished, I'm wiped, and I look forward to an hour or
two after kids are in bed to just relax.
Yet bedtime was the biggest struggle on those nights--I don't know if it's because Daddy wasn't home to reinforce, or because they knew mama is tired, or if they were just missing him and acting out, but every.single.week on those days, it was a battle for kids to stay in bed. They'd be awake for an hour or two past normal, and we would all be grumpy.
So this year, I decided to do something different. (Why oh why did I wait NINE years to do this?!)
We gave the nights when Daddy was gone a new name: Snuggle Nights.
After stories, prayers, cuddles, kisses, lights out, etc, I lay down next to each of them for an extended snuggle--the kind Grandma's do--rubbing their backs/heads/hands whatever they wanted.
And you know what?
Even though I was so tired from the day, this time was a TREASURE! It filled us up mutually! And they drifted off to sleep faster than they ever have--all soothed and snuggled in their beds.
Another treasured Snuggle Night just completed today! They're sound asleep, and I'm out here relaxing on the couch, NOT GRUMPY! Hallelujah!
I heard it takes 20 years to grow a mama--I'm half way there!
Yet bedtime was the biggest struggle on those nights--I don't know if it's because Daddy wasn't home to reinforce, or because they knew mama is tired, or if they were just missing him and acting out, but every.single.week on those days, it was a battle for kids to stay in bed. They'd be awake for an hour or two past normal, and we would all be grumpy.
So this year, I decided to do something different. (Why oh why did I wait NINE years to do this?!)
We gave the nights when Daddy was gone a new name: Snuggle Nights.
After stories, prayers, cuddles, kisses, lights out, etc, I lay down next to each of them for an extended snuggle--the kind Grandma's do--rubbing their backs/heads/hands whatever they wanted.
And you know what?
Even though I was so tired from the day, this time was a TREASURE! It filled us up mutually! And they drifted off to sleep faster than they ever have--all soothed and snuggled in their beds.
Another treasured Snuggle Night just completed today! They're sound asleep, and I'm out here relaxing on the couch, NOT GRUMPY! Hallelujah!
I heard it takes 20 years to grow a mama--I'm half way there!
