Bedtime Routine

It seems that our getting-ready-for-bed ritual is getting longer and longer. Austin is a big fan of routine and doing the same thing before he goes to bed at night. But it seems like if one night he wants to add something to the routine, then it gets "stuck" in his mind and he wants to keep doing it. Generally, before bed Chris gets his pajamas on and brushes teeth (before Bennett was born the bath was an almost nightly ritual, now life seems more complicated and it happens more like a couple times a week), 2 books and a Bible story are read, we pray, we sing and then he goes to bed. It used to be that Chris read all the books and Bible story, but lately he keeps wanting me to read as well, so usually one of us reads the two books and then the other one has to read the Bible story. WE used to sing 2 songs...usually Jesus Loves Me being the last one. Now he always wants 3 songs and if it is not 3 he gets really upset. You can see how it is slowly getting longer. We try to change it up sometimes so he doesn't get too set in his ways, but that always brings lots of protest.

When Bennett moved into Austin's room, we had to change the routine out of his room into the living room. He is now adjusted to that change. He also keeps adding things he wants to sleep with. It used to be Blue Puppy and Kopo (stuffed golden retriever). Now it is those 2 (Blue Puppy being the overwhelming favorite and the only one that travels with us) plus Nemo the fish and Blue Bunny (a gift from Nai-Nai). Also, his excavator blanket, his little pillow with his name on it and 2 cups of water. It used to be one cup, but somehow progressed to two. Lately he wants extra blankets and pillows. Hmmm, what have we gotten ourselves into? It is a slippery slope, but he knows how to push the envelope. I have been stricter lately with...no more pillows, no more extra blankets.

Here is the newest addition. It used to be that we just sang. One night Chris thought it would be fun to play guitar. It is fun and adds a lot, but also adds to the complexity of the routine. As you can see below, Chris plays guitar, Austin plays "violin" and Mommy...sings (since I can't really play an instrument, though when Chris is gone Austin now always wants me to play guitar).


The songs are also getting very routine. It used to be we picked a few, simple children's songs or hymns. Now Austin is more opinionated about the songs. He always insists on starting with "Abraham's Burden" - his current favorite, a Chris original. Lately with Chris' influence he also really likes U2's "White as Snow". Then he usually wants to end with Be Thou My Vision or Amazing Grace or Jesus Loves Me. A rather varied collection.

So I would like to pare down the bedtime routine a bit, since it is getting rather long, but I know it will take lots of patience and probably a lot of protests.
This was our last song of the night tonight. Austin was a little put out that I was videoing instead of sitting beside him singing...but you get the idea.