Bedtime Brain Busters

The older Selah gets, the longer the process is to get that child in bed for the night.  

When she was an infant I would simply bath her, dress her, read her a quick picture book, sing to her and say a quick prayer over her.  Thirty minutes, tops, from start to finish.

As she's gotten older, bedtime has doubled in time.  So, why on God's green Earth, I decide to add more to the routine, I just don't know...

Well, actually, I do know, I love spending time with her.  I don't get a ton of one-on-one time with her and those minutes right before I tuck her in and turn out the lights seem to be the sweetest of moments.  It's a time that isn't rushed and it's without distractions   It's just me and her, on her bed, reading, chatting, praying, giggling.  It's where I hear the most about her day, where she divulges all her innermost feelings, concerns, questions, thoughts.  She's also a pro at stalling, so I'm sure that plays a role in her willingness to let me in on her little world.  

I recently stumbled upon THIS blog, where this mom talks about those special bedtime moments. 

It encouraged me to keep that time unhurried, and cling onto that time with Selah like the way Owen clings to his coveted snack cup.  (Read and view photos of that here, it's intense...)  

I realize (but optimistically hold out hope) that this time is short, this time that she desires to spend so much time with me and tell me everything, all those details of her life that are important to her.  I hope with all my heart she will always desire to share her world with me, I learn so much from her.  

Anyway, that is why I decided to add one more thing to our bedtime routine: 

BEDTIME BRAIN BUSTERS
I'm sure there is a cuter, more creative name for this, but for now, it's all I got.

These are some questions I came up with, with some help from this website, to ask Selah at the end of everyday.  She really looks forward to getting to pick one out of the bucket, and she makes sure I never forget! I really, really enjoy hearing her answers and dialoging about questions I earnestly want answers to...here are some of the questions:

• What is your favorite part of the day: morning or afternoon? Why?
• What is your favorite things to do with Mommy? Daddy? Owen?
• How were you a good friend today?
• What is something that makes you sad?
• What is something that made you laugh today?
• What is something that makes you angry?
• Have you ever seen one of your friends sad? How did you help to make them feel better?
• What is your favorite Bible story?
• If you could ask Jesus anything, what would it be?
• What is a question you would like to ask me tonight?
• If you could be any animal what would you be and why?
• When you are tired would you rather have someone read you a book or watch a TV show?
• What is your favorite game on the iPad?
• What is your favorite game?
• Has God talked to you today? What did He say?
• What is something you would like to learn to do someday?
• How can you show someone kindness tomorrow?
• What is your favorite meal of the day?
• Who do you like to play with the most? Why?
• If you could be anyone from a book who would you be?

I will keep adding questions and we will also repeat the questions because I'm sure some of the answers are bound to be different the older she gets.  I'll also have to modify the questions the older she gets as well.  Some of these things we discuss are topics we discuss during the day too, but there is something about the quiet and stillness of her room that brings out the best conversations.

What are some questions you would add to this list?? What does your bedtime routine look like? 

Thanks for reading!!