Ever since our first daughter was getting too old to fall asleep in our arms (too old being defined by the amount of time it would take and limit to our upper arm strength), books have been a part of bedtime.

Yeah, it’s good for them, but we also needed a routine. OK, a distraction. Books are a welcome distraction.

Now that we have two little girls, our routine looks like this:

Older daughter (Riley, 3 ½) chooses whether Mom or Dad will read to her.

If she picks Mom, I try to divert our younger daughter (Parker, 1 ½) from realizing Mommy isn’t putting her to bed. Usually I fail. Tears ensue.

Either way, a book calms all storms and both kids happily snuggle up in bed as we leave the room. (See footnote.)

Our routine even helps when Mom’s traveling for work, but it looks more like this:

We go into Riley’s room and all three of us climb into bed. I try sitting in the middle but somehow Parker manages to sit on top of her sister. Or kick her in the face.

Either way, before a book is even opened, there’s drama. Riley likes downtime before bed. Parker would prefer to party-till-she-drops.

We come to a fragile peace and start reading a book one of the girls picks out. A few pages in, Parker is somehow on top of Riley again. More drama.

Back in our respective corners, we resume. A couple pages in and, well, I think you’re getting the picture. It goes on like this until I finally break up the fun and take Parker into her crib. And, eventually, both girls happily snuggle up in bed.

Need a routine of your own? In no particular order, five of our current favorites to get you started:

1. “It’s OK To Be Different” by Todd Parr
2. “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram
3. “Z is for Moose” by Kelly Bingham and Paul O. Zelinsky
4. “There’s a Wocket in My Pocket” by Dr. Seuss
5. “How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?” by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

Not a parent? You still need a routine. Find a good book at goodreads.com.

(Footnote:  I fully expect tonight to be completely different from either scenario. By writing this, I’ve tempted the fate of their current habit of happily snuggling up in bed as we leave the room. A habit that seems to be cursed by any admission that there is a habit, that such a habit can somehow be possible.  Oh, God of Bedtime Ritual, please find it in your heart to look the other way this one time.)

posted by Jay

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Tags: bedtime, kids, list, routine