Sometimes I feel like the only mother in the world who really dislikes bedtime–the process, not the result (that part I like). Yes, I like snuggling and reading books (well, some books) and shampoo-scented hair. I even almost like ear-fondling. But I don’t like “put on your pajamas” nagging, “brush your teeth” nagging, “put your clothes in the hamper” nagging, “stop jumping on the bed” nagging, “did you use the potty?” nagging.
It is absolutely prime time for me losing my patience in a big bad way, even more so than the 5:00 arsenic hour. I don’t know if that’s because bedtime comes at the end of a long day and I need a break, or because I am jumping ahead to the sweet, sweet free time that’s almost in reach. But you will never catch me writing rhapsodic posts about cuddling with my darlings at bedtime.
Maybe when they’re teenagers and put themselves to bed and sleep until noon. That’ll be rhapsodic, right? And then I’ll blubber about how I miss those bedtime moments. For now, I’ll continue wishing for my instant-sleep superpower. I promise only to use it in good faith.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG I hate bedtime. Only dinnertime — that is, the time during which I am cooking dinner — is worse.
OMG so true. I think I use the word NOW with more frequency at bed time than any other time of the day- even trying to get to daycare. Its pick out your books NOW. Put on your pajamas NOW. Get over here NOW.
You really think they’ll sleep till noon? I’ll believe that when I see it.
I adore bedtime. It’s the time right when I walk in the door from work and while I am doing my best to pull dinner together and get it on the table that pushes me over the edge.
I confess, I feel the same way. Which is why bedtime prep primarily falls to my husband which works for everybody: they adore their special time with him, and I finally get a bit of a break from them after being home with them.
I thought you were going to say at first that you looked forward to it and then I was going to feel abnormal. My husband and I both dislike bedtime rituals. He usually does it.
Saying “put on your pajamas is not an issue. The issue is having to say, “Put on your pajamas. Put on your pajamas. Put on your pajamas. Put on your pajamas . . . ” followed by “Brush your teeth. Did you brush your teeth? Come here and brush your teeth . . .”
What Lady M said. Same routine in the morning. It’s excruciating.
So with you.
I don’t mind bedtime, until it’s actually time for her to sleep. Because after we’ve turned on the music and turned out the light she takes so. freaking. long. to actually fall asleep. And since she doesn’t stay in the bed, I’m sitting on the floor reading my book *willing* her to fall asleep. It’s the time-suck that gets me.
Oh, bedtime can’t happen fast enough. And I think it’s both for me – the day has been so long at that point, but i also feel like every moment longer that it takes is a moment taken from my “free time” before my own bedtime.
The jumping on the bed…oh, how I LOATHE the jumping on the bed.
oh yeah, you’ll be blubbering.
I really DO miss those moments. I can’t believe it.
Oh you are so not the only mom who hates bedtime. I literally become the wicked witch of the west for about half an hour until they settle down and all becomes right with the world again.
yes. yes. yes. the nagging drives me crazy too. and someday we will miss it for sure.
OMG, you mean it doesn’t get better? Oh, crud.
I can relate to the stress coming from the visions of that lovely post-asleep time. I go completely mental when the resistance techniques start to push bedtime too far past when I was anticipating getting my freaking break.
Love the new look, BTW.
OMG this post is ALL ABOUT ME! Because this is the yuck of my life. Because we are all sleeping in the one room, til we build our house, I detest betimes. I try to get our youngest to bed around 7pm then the other two go a bit later, but sometimes they all go together and play up and I get stressed and it’s not the blissful end of the day I imagine. And I agree with you about the nagging to brush teeth, go to toilet, get pjs on etc. So feel happy that you are not alone and others are going to the dogs too, trying to do it all!!!
{ 1 trackback }