I want to tell you about our bed time routine. Bed time since Justin left for Alaska has been HELL. Sam fights and misbehaves and does everything he can to make me angry in hopes that I will give up and let him stay up. I won't get into the frustrating details but it can take hours to get him t g to bed.
Tonight we followed his bedtime routine that he set. I carried him to bed (yes, I carry a 40 lb boy to bed every night) I gave him hugs and kisses, then he gave me hugs and kisses, and then I snuggled him for awhile. As we lay there he told me that we hadn't prayed yet. I want to let you know that this isn't something that I started. I have taught him about God through the bible stories that I grew up reading, but we are more of a spiritual family than a religious one. But last month we were very tight on food and money to get food until the next pay day. So we prayed over every meal that God would help us make it last until the next time we were able to buy more. We never an out and I kept coming up with random ideas to use what we had. But after we were able to get more the prayers tapered off. Until 3 nights ago. Three nights ago as we lay in his bed snuggling he said "Mommy, we haven't prayed in a long time" I had thought he said PLAYED, so I was hurt, we had played with blocks with his brother earlier that day. And eventually he took my hands in his and made circle and said "no mommy, when we hold hands at the table and make a circle and talk to God"
That night he asked me if we could talk to God more, and we did, we prayed that Sam would be able to control himself and behave well and stay in bed, and that God could help mommy not to be angry as often (over his misbehavior) and we closed the prayer with "Amen"
Last night Sam started asking to say a part of the prayer, I always say th same thing, more as a reminder to both Sam and I then as a true prayer. I want Sam to remember to control himself (he says that he can't) and I want to remember to take a few deep breaths and to hold my temper that has become shorter lately. But he adds in his 4 year old Sam things, like getting to see Auntie tomorrow, even though he knows he can't. I will direct him to be fair to God and not ask for things Sam knows cannot happen, and simply to ask to see Auntie again soon. Tonight he asked God to give him magic, I had to laugh, because it's so Sam, he believes in the magic of the world and God, and so do I.
I think this is the continuation of him wishing at the fountain at the hospital and doctors office we take his brother to. Each time he always wishes that brother will get better and not have to get poked any more. So I just want to remind you that whether you are religious or not, children believe in magic, whether its fairies or God. So make this part of your routine, whether you are making firefly wishes or prayers, let your children express what is in their hearts, it will help you to better understand them, and tem to understand you.
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