may 18: bedtime rituals

Can I confess something? I love that my husband puts the kids to bed 75% of the time. I think it's good for the kids, because he hasn't spent as much time with them and still has fresh energy to hear their stories, requests, questions, etc. I am spent by the time 8:30pm rolls around, and I try to get through the stories, the songs, the prayers as cheerfully, and efficiently as possible. I'm working on that. I do treasure the time with them, all snuggly in their pjs (even if one of them insists on wearing fleece snowman pajamas in warm weather). I am trying to slow down and put aside the unfinished tasks of the day. But it is not easy for me. I know that before long, bedtime stories will be a thing of the past. I hope they are replaced by talks and questions, and relationship building activities. Which is why I know these rituals are so important now. We are not just singing and praying and back-rubbing; we are building trust and security. Most things worth having are hard work!