Every night, my husband and I put our kids to bed and witness the sweet image of our children praying softly and sweetly to Jesus…
OR
In reality, what we actually witness every night looks a little more like this:
A whole lot of chaos mixed with a little bit of sweetness!
Ever since our oldest son was about two, we’ve had a bedtime routine. It’s changed a bit over time, but here’s what it looks like now:
- Bath / teeth / PJs / etc.
- Read one book – kids’ choice
- Read one section from our current devotional book (the boys each have one and we alternate between the two)
- Prayer time (we lead, but make them pray out loud too)
- I sing “Bushel and a Peck” as I tickle and hug each one. Some nights fast and silly, some times slow and soft.
- Lights out
Now, the routine itself is not one I’m necessarily unhappy with. I like that bedtime is family time. I like that we read. I like that we incorporate the Bible and prayer. But…
Lately I’ve noticed that our routine has become a little too routine, if you know what I mean. The boys start playing during devotional time, pray for silly things instead of serious things, and generally “check out” when the important times come.
I can feel that we’re at a fork in the road. Either we’ll ignore this subtle attack against our sacred rituals with our kids and it will all slowly disappear altogether over time. Or, we’ll remain aware and proactive about being intentional about family and devotional time and hopefully continue to influence their little minds with more truth and memories.
So, I’d love to get your input!
If you have young children now, tell me what works for you! If your kids are older and on their own, tell me what used to work for you or what you wish you would have done differently!
- What does your bedtime routine look like?
- How do you successfully incorporate the Bible and prayer?
- How do you teach your children to pray real prayers rather than silly prayers?
- How do you keep your own prayers from being monotonous and routine?
- How/What do you pray for on a daily basis for your kids?
- Do you use any devotional books? If so, which ones do you (and the kids) like?
- Any other tips or input?!
I’m seriously awaiting your comments on this one! And, I have lots of friends with young kids as well, so I know they’ll all appreciate your wisdom and insight!
When it comes to our kids and influencing them spiritually, I know that even a mediocre routine is better than nothing. But I sure would love to move from mediocre to dynamic!
Well. Papa & I are doing some real “” dejavuing”” as grandparents now. And we’re already moving from the sweet, warm, little cuddlers, (except for the 3 littlest ones who’re all at 22 mos.), who are content with a short story & a lullaby….to making some REAL changes. For awhile it’s been a veggie Tale, then it’s moved to a Old or New Testament animated movie of their choice. But now we’re moving the 8, 7, 6, 5 & even the 4 year old, outside, (weather permitting). WHOA!!! God’s GREAT-night creation!!!!!! We sat & watched a spider spin for 30 minutes, we’ve let lightening bugs land on us & one night while having a “cruise” on tha golf cart we ran into FROGS!!!!! Tons of them & most of them were mating. You’d be surprised how ALL of the conversation centered around God & His great creation. So. Grannie & Papa suggestion is, Go out in your back yard & show them His moon, tha stars & don’t forget tha flashlight…….God’s incredible night life is waiting. 😉
My boys are 11 and 9 and our bedtime routine has changed 1000 times over the last nearly dozen years of parenting. But we have found SIMPLE IS BEST! we are most consistent when it is simple, sweet and fluid. Right now we send boys to “get ready” (PJs, teeth, etc) and then we all pile on the bottom bunk and take turns praying aloud and then talk about the best parts of our day…and sometimes even tough parts too…while Daddy and I lay on the bed and just absorb time with them, hearing their stories of the day and sharing life together. (We homeschool, so usually it’s me prompting boys to tell Daddy about the day 🙂 ) We have had seasons when we got on the bottom bunk and sang a hymn or read and discussed a chapter of scripture together. One basic consistent is we pray together and enjoy our boys together. Just listening to the boys and sharing our hearts in prayer has been the foundation of our evenings and that is a sweet thing 🙂
May the Lord bless you and your family as you pursue honoring Him as you raise your littles 🙂
Mariel