Quik TipThe Basic Bedtime Method will save you lots of aggravation in the evenings. The
first requirement is that you pick a bedtime—and stick to it! Bedtime cannot be
renegotiated every night.If you have trouble coming up with an inventory of all that needs
to be done for the kids to get ready for bed, just think of all the things
the children usually tell you they haven’t done after they are in bed,
and you’ll have the list right away:
“I’m hungry and I need a drink.”
“I’m scared.”
“I have to go to the bathroom.”
“These pajamas itch.”
“There’s a burglar in the basement.”
And so on, and so on. Every item on the list should be addressed as
well as possible before your child gets into bed. One caution here.
Don’t lie down on the bed. There seems to be a biological law that
says: If you are over twenty-five years of age, and it’s past eight in
the evening, and you spend more than three minutes in a horizontal
position, you’ll be out like a light. And the kids will love it! They’ll
enjoy the comfort and novelty of having you sleeping next to them,
but they will also quickly get dependent on this arrangement and start
expecting—or demanding—your presence every night.
And now, the grand finale. When nine rolls around, tuck the child
in, kiss her good night, and leave the room. You have just had a nice
time with your child, and your parenting job is done for the day.