Bedtime

Our kids have always been good about going to bed. From the time they were tiny the routine has been: lay them in bed; walk away; they fall asleep. Until recently...

For some reason Katey and Seth seem to be bucking bedtime lately. We say good night, give hugs, send them on their way and within a few minutes one of them (Katey usually) is back downstairs needing a drink of water...and to chomp some ice...and then giving more hugs... And we can usually count on hearing a small, quiet voice at the top of the stairs (Seth), "Mommy, Daddy? I, um, want to turn on my fan, is that okay?" Or he wants a cup of water in his room or his blanket isn't quite perfect on his bed...

Now, I love my kids and I love spending time with them but when evening comes around I am ready for some quiet time with my husband. Bedtime has always been my favorite time of the day...but it seems to be more and more frustrating lately. When I hear or see the kids my heart beats faster and I feel my anger rising. IT IS BEDTIME...GET IN BED!!

Last night it was the same story. I had laid down the law with Katey before bed so I didn't hear or see her. But, just as I was beginning to drink in the quiet of the evening I hear, "Um, Mommy, Daddy?" WHAT, SETH?!? "Can I have my pillow case? Is it done in the wash?"

So I grudgingly head up to give Seth his favorite pillow case (because there was already one on his pillow...just not the one he loves. *sigh*). As I entered his room I noticed there were wet spots on his pillow. When I asked about them he got teary-eyed and told me that he was remembering how 2 of his classmates had called him a liar during the day and he got sad.

Now my heart is breaking in a million pieces and I hear that still, small voice in my head - life is not about Jen and what I want. There are more important things than a quiet evening and bedtime is not sacred.

If I had been really grumpy Mommy (like I wanted to be) I would have yelled up the stairs that he could sleep without his favorite pillow case and that would have been the end of it. I would not have had the opportunity to share in my son's heartbreak and spend time talking and praying with him. We both would have missed out on an important growth moment.

So, tonight when I send the kids to bed I hope to remember this lesson and be a little less grumpy about out-of-bed children and a little more compassionate towards them...even if it means my quiet is interrupted for awhile.