Being there for your kids - A Very Special Time for You and your Child

Episode Date: July 7, 2019

As a parent, settle down time is an opportunity you never want to miss. This is your child's bedtime. Not all parents get it right, but when you do, you enhance the love and relationship you have with your child. For pre-schoolers who may stall to have more time with you, after about 15-20 minutes of settling down, introduce her to the snuggle bunny. This metaphor helps her be still and quiet. Within minutes she will be sound asleep. Enjoy your settle down time at the end of each day with your child.

I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. Is there any time during the day more important for kids than bedtime? I don't think so. Actually, it's not a time, but a process. It's a one-on-one with a parent, and parents can take turns. It's a special time, with each child in the family having a separate designated bedtime. In family life, it's a settled-down time. Okay, sweetheart, at the end of this show, turn off the television,

and let's get started going to bed. prompted eight-year-old Bethany, giving her lead time to make the transition. But Mama, what about? Bethany began to protest, but her mom cut her off. Uh-uh, ah, don't do this, darling. You know the rules. Yes, Mama. Bethany turned her attention back to the TV to squeeze every ounce out of the day before going to bed. Well-intentioned parents teach their children early to put themselves to bed. What? And give up such quality time with your child? Other parents let their children play. play, irritate their brother, watch TV, or game on their iPad or computer until the very last minute. Why allow a child to ramp up right before trying to go to sleep? Other parents tolerate an

abundance of stall tactics from children who don't want to go to sleep. Settle down time with your child is a precious gift, both from you to her, but also from her to you. With both of my kids as they grew up, and now with my grandkids, when I'm called to duty, I try to allow up to 30 minutes of settle down time with each child. That's time for talking about our days, active listening, telling her reading stories, and being playful or funny. I'm Dr. John Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist and Christian author, and this has been Teachable Moments. Teachable Moments, building blocks of Christian parenting, is available online at AmazonBooks.com, and in local and national bookstores.

More on Dr. Robinson at TMCP-I-N-C.com.