By Wendy Reed
If you’re trying to establish a good bedtime routine for your child, you may have noticed that there are a lot of options out there: charts, checklists, apps, audiobooks, songs, stretches, videos, and more—all designed to help kids wind down and (hopefully) drift off to sleep. If some of these things work for your family, that’s great! But often as parents and grandparents, we find ourselves on a constant search for “bigger, better, more” because we think that’s what kids want and need. But what if it’s the opposite?
When I was a child, my mother recited a gentle rhyming poem to my brother and me every night. It described how several animals went to sleep, and best of all, it concluded with a personalized stanza pointing out that it was time for us to get in bed, too. For many years, I couldn’t go to sleep without hearing it. (I’ve recently turned this story into an illustrated children’s book so my four grandchildren will be able to remember it—and hopefully recite it to their own kids one day.)
I’m not a parenting expert, but I’ve noticed that what feels good to children doesn’t always line up with what we’re told. They may not consciously realize it, but kids aren’t always craving something shiny and new. Just like my brother and me, my own grandchildren request the same stories over and over again. Hearing something familiar brings them comfort and helps them relax. Honestly, it helps me relax too. (Be honest: How many of us really have the bandwidth to curate a brand-new experience for our kids each night?)
My point is, bedtime rituals don’t have to be complex. Telling a simple story, tucking kids in, and saying goodnight might not be complicated, but it creates structure and helps children transition from a busy day to a restful night’s sleep.
For many families, the end of the day is the only time without back-to-back activities, homework, and the myriad obligations of daily life. Bedtime allows us to enjoy quality time together with no major agenda, no distractions, and if we so choose, no technology. I’ve found that leaving screens outside the bedroom invites my grandkids to more fully connect with me—often through conversations and snuggles. Those are some of my most cherished memories, and hopefully as they grow up, they’ll feel the same way.
So—pick a favorite book, whether it’s a classic or a new release, and make it a regular part of your family’s bedtime routine. Even better, write your own special story alongside your children or grandchildren. Let your kids or grandkids be the main characters, or retell a favorite family memory.
In my new book, I’ve intentionally included a space for readers to write and illustrate their own story. It’s a wonderful keepsake, but more than that, it allows you to spend the right kind of time with your child or grandchild. My biggest piece of advice after going through this process myself? Don’t worry about perfection. This isn’t about writing an award-winning story with stunning illustrations. It’s about being together and creating a tangible memory you can return to over and over again.
About the Author:
Wendy Reed is the author and illustrator of The Bedtime Story. She lives in Crosby, Texas, where she has worked as a Realtor for over 20 years. Wendy and her husband, Chris, have been married for 43 years. They are the proud parents of two accomplished grown sons, Rodney and Justin, and have four amazing grandchildren: Aubree, Connor, Reece, and Claire.
About the Book:
The Bedtime Story (May 2024, ISBN: 979-8-3240342-4-5, $8.95) is available from Amazon.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
