As a mother of two college age daughters I have thousands of special bedtime moments filed away in my memory. I want to encourage each mom and dad or special guardian of each and every child to cheerish these last, fleeting moments of each day.
I am not sure exactly when our "bedtime" routine for our girls took form, but I remember it back as far as 1985 when we moved South. I can plainly see our four month old daughter freshly bathed tucked on her daddy's lap in the rocker and her big sister cuddled up close to me on the couch as we went thru our routine list of songs before turning to our nightly reading.
Our songs and readings at bedtime were always focused around the stories and truths of the Bible. One of our favorites was an action song which is why the memory is so vivid to this day. As the song is sung one is to point in, out, up and down and each verse gets faster and faster to see how fast it can be done.
Daddy would hold little hands and move them thru the motions as little eyes grew larger in amazement. After a few verses it was tradition to do it in reverse, which is harder to do. Our 26 month old had no problem keeping up with her daddy's pace, so it is obvious that we had started this practice at least months before when we were still in Ohio.
We ended the evening in prayer and tucked the girls in. Very rarely did we have problems with them calling or getting up after following this routine faithfully. There is one memory, though, that I'd like to share later, when one night our littlest just could not settle down--I think our solution will surprise you.
Over the years we added to the routine, but never quit the songs, reading and prayer until just a couple years ago. With everyone so busy we now usually only find the time for our night time prayer together.
A favorite song of mine when they were young was Steve and Annie Chapman's "Goodnight Kiss." I found this YouTube video with Annie singing it. If you have a few minutes to listen, close your eyes and think of your own children and I am sure you will, with Annie, "count it as a privilige...to kiss (your) children goodnight at the close of everyday."
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Comments: 22
what a great memory
beautiful video!
Thank you so much. So touching too.
This is so very lovely and touching!
So precious! We always had bedtime stories and those sweet loving good night kisses for both our children. Thank you for sharing this with us here at Home Comfort
Awe how sweet.
aww so cute
What a beautiful story!
What a precious memory. My son-in-law has started going through the list of the presidents of the USA with his little guy. It's really sweet because my son-in-law loves anything to do with presidents. This little guy will have so much knowledge by the time he gets to school.
That is really cool. Instilling knowledge in a child is so rewarding and helps them reach so much more potential.
What a wonderful memory. and the song was so beautiful!
very nice post
What a wonderful memory. I ALWAYS kissed my girls goodnight. Still do, whenever they are around. Both are grown with children of their own who they kiss goodnight, every night!
That sounds like a really nice memory. My mom used to always read to me and sing me songs. I remember her singing Que Sera Sera to me and I loved it so so much. It's my favorite to sing to my daughter, though she prefers Rock-A-Bye Baby.
I am looking forward to hearing your solution.
I don't think I ever heard that whole song. I used to sing somewhere over the rainbow to my first daughter a lot.
That song is making me cry. My children are all grown. We had wonderful bedtimes too.
My two college age daughters are still at home. the song is one to bring tears to your eyes. When my girls were little they hated if I sang it--it made them cry.
Who sings this?
It was put out on an album in the 80's by Steve and Annie Chapman.
Quite lovely...I'm sure your children had peaceful dreams.
That is such a nice memory and it isa really lovely.