Interrupted

    I had the best of intentions of sitting down and writing a post about date nights.  Specifically, I was going to write about having date nights “in” or at home.  Of course, the key word is “was.”  It didn’t happen and here’s why…

    All day I looked forward to the season premiere of LOST.  My husband was volunteering at church, so I got to put the kids to bed solo.  Though I desperately wanted to watch my show as soon as it started, I took my time putting my little ones to bed.  I gave them baths complete with colored water and bubbles.  We read stories and I kissed and hugged them multiple times.  I then rushed downstairs to finish the dishes and that is when the fun began.

     “Mommy, I have to tell you something," my preschooler yelled from his room.  Four different times I went upstairs and then back downstairs.  I only had half a dozen dishes left to wash, but it must have taken me half an hour by the time I dealt with my preschooler's bedtime stalling techniques.  By then, though I’d been brainstorming all day, I had no energy left to write anything remotely creative about fun date nights at home.

     Instead, I wondered if you can relate to this bedtime dance.  So, can you relate?  Are they really scared or do they truly need to use the bathroom, again or is it time to put your foot down and turn to discipline methods?  Either way, the night drags on and by the time the munchkins are sound asleep, it’s time for you to turn in as well.  Of course, you don’t.  Instead you stay up too late enjoying the quiet time or the time with your spouse.   You might wake up tired the next day and begin the same adventure once more.  And yet, despite it all you wouldn’t trade you little ones for anything, except of course for a few hours of sleep.  Oh, I kid.  (I’m a bit sleep deprived so you’ll have to excuse me.)

    Things aren’t really that bad around here.  Every night isn’t a battle to get the little ones to bed, but on those nights it sure feels like every night.  So, I’m wondering, what do you do to keep your sweet ones in bed?