Consistency is key
Routines are activities that are done on a daily basis. It has been shown that children are actually more successful in life if they have routines. Children that have little structure or normalcy often grow-up having a harder time coping with things (work, families and relationships.) It is possible for them to have a stable adulthood but they will have to work harder than a child that had a structured environment.
As a parent I try to have as much consistency as possible. Bedtime in my house is a constant. We get our son his pajama, a cup of milk, brush his teeth, read a story and then its off to bed. As he has gotten older, he has become more resistant to the idea of bed. He is at the age that he realizes that life goes on while he is sleeping.
Bedtime has become one long adventure. I never know what is going to happen or what new excuse my son will give me for not wanting to go to bed.
Me: Xander its about time to get ready for bed. (knowing its about to get interesting)
Xan: (dead silence)
Me: Xan, It’s time for your pajamas. (trying to maintain a positive attitude)
Xan: HA HA HA HA HA HA! (laughing hysterically)
Me: Xan, its time to put on you pajamas. (thinking he didn’t really just laugh at me)
Xan: THAT FUNNY!!!! HA HA HA!! (shouting and still laughing)
Me: What are you going to think when you have to put on your pajamas? (i am now thinking, he laughed at me and said I was funny)
Xan: That not funny!!! (sad look …no more laughter)
Battling with a toddler is a constant. I have found sometimes I win, sometimes I lose, sometimes its a draw and occasionally it just isn’t worth arguing at all. Unfortunately, for my son, this is a battle I have chosen to engage. Xan was not a happy about putting on his pajamas. I know I can’t make him happy all the time but, he did laugh at me! I think I am okay with not making him happy this time!
0 points Xander for laughing hysterically out loud about putting on his pajamas, 1 point dada for winning the battle of the pajamas and not laughing out loud about winning (this time)
