Bedtime by the Numbers
Our bedtime routine is pretty much that: routine. The kids get a snack, and then I more often than not take care of getting Sofi into bed while Mary takes care of getting Isaac into bed. I will brush Sofi's teeth, brush her hair (if she is willing not to scream at the top of her lungs, in which case Mary usually interjects herself and I am dismissed), and make sure that all the steps of "going potty" are followed (wipe, flush, rinse, soap, rinse, dry off).
Tonight I didn't have to bother with the latter, as Sofi had gone before her snack. So I brushed her teeth and her hair, thankfully without any screaming.
At this point I usually tuck Sofi in while Mary gets Isaac's pajamas on and settles him down with a bedtime story, prayers and a lullaby. I would do the same for Sofi, as I used to when she was Isaac's age, but Sofi always wants Mary to tuck her in, so I end up pulling the covers over Sofi, giving her a kiss, and I leave the bedtime book and the prayer and the lullaby for Mary to do once she is done with Isaac, which more often than not is fine with Mary as she usually has been at work all day and enjoys this one-on-one time with the kids.
Tonight I thought it might be different, as I thought I heard Sofi say she wanted me to read her a book and have Mom say the prayer and sing her a song. I was just about to pick out a book when Sofi rolls her eyes to one side, and moves her fingers around in front of her a bit and states "I want you to do two things and Mom do to three things." Thinking that one of my two things would be reading her a book, I asked "So what two things do you want me to do?" Her reply was "Brush my teeth and brush my hair. And mom can read me a book, sing a song, and pray. If you read me a book..." and then there was a pause as her eyes once again looked off to the side and her fingers waved in front of her, "...then you will be doing three things and Mom will be doing two."
Realizing that, as usual, Mom would be taking care of it all, I smiled and kissed her good night.
I know the math is simple, but to be the subject of a four year old's word problem this late at night took me by surprise.
Tonight I didn't have to bother with the latter, as Sofi had gone before her snack. So I brushed her teeth and her hair, thankfully without any screaming.
At this point I usually tuck Sofi in while Mary gets Isaac's pajamas on and settles him down with a bedtime story, prayers and a lullaby. I would do the same for Sofi, as I used to when she was Isaac's age, but Sofi always wants Mary to tuck her in, so I end up pulling the covers over Sofi, giving her a kiss, and I leave the bedtime book and the prayer and the lullaby for Mary to do once she is done with Isaac, which more often than not is fine with Mary as she usually has been at work all day and enjoys this one-on-one time with the kids.
Tonight I thought it might be different, as I thought I heard Sofi say she wanted me to read her a book and have Mom say the prayer and sing her a song. I was just about to pick out a book when Sofi rolls her eyes to one side, and moves her fingers around in front of her a bit and states "I want you to do two things and Mom do to three things." Thinking that one of my two things would be reading her a book, I asked "So what two things do you want me to do?" Her reply was "Brush my teeth and brush my hair. And mom can read me a book, sing a song, and pray. If you read me a book..." and then there was a pause as her eyes once again looked off to the side and her fingers waved in front of her, "...then you will be doing three things and Mom will be doing two."
Realizing that, as usual, Mom would be taking care of it all, I smiled and kissed her good night.
I know the math is simple, but to be the subject of a four year old's word problem this late at night took me by surprise.
posted by a n d y at
8:35 PM
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