The joy of discovery and variety is what makes those routines so successful, in addition to the quality bonding time of course. I hope your customization efforts go well when you try them out!
I think every mom has their own bag of tricks! Glad to offer some inspiration, though; it's a fun way to keep them occupied and our nights peaceful.
Ah... the struggles of parenting never end! But it is heartwarming and funny how different hacks work for different children. I suppose that's what keeps life interesting, hey?
Yes, it's really a relief to discover an approach that sticks after some trial and error! I'm lucky that my child is such an excited and enthusiastic sleeper now.
It certainly is a challenge keeping up with kids' ever-changing preferences! Naruto is quite popular amongst the little ones these days; it's good to see their imaginations running wild even if it means last-minute theme changes! Haha. Halloween-themed decorations could be a fun compromise, with plenty of adorable black and orange spider webbing to keep the room festive for your little one. Drone-like story sessions are part of the routine too - the yawning and stretching are an adorable cherry on top of the whole experience!
Yeah, it's certainly a challenge many parents face at some point! I like your gentle approach too; it's lovely how you quietly guide her back while being understanding of her needs. It's a sweet moment to cherish before they grow out of it
White noise can be incredibly soothing--I should give that a shot sometimes! My son loves his room so much these days, thankfully, but I do miss the adorable cuddles when he used to sneak into our bed.
Yes, keeping up with kids' ever-changing tastes and preferences can be tricky! Naruto seems to be all the rage these days. I've noticed the anime outfits at cosplaying events looking out for them during family weekends at Sentosa.
I'm all about finding ways to make parenting less daunting, so I completely agree with you on that! In my experience, routine usually helps. But it's great to hear about these different methods because every kid is unique, and what works for one might not work for another.
Some kids just never seem to run out of energy when it comes to bedtime, huh? Luckily, mine grew out of the "one more story" phase rather quickly. In fact, my little boy would usually be the one to call it quits and shut his eyes after a couple of stories, often falling asleep mid-sentence! But every now and then, he'll surprise me with an eager "More story, mum?" in that cute, sleepy tone. How can you say no to that?
it has been a useful strategy to encourage his reading interest, which I believe will benefit him throughout life. As for the "one more story" requests, they do seem pretty universal among the little ones! It's such a cute way they try their luck and test our boundaries, haha. But yes, I think most children go through this adorable phase and it's heartwarming to see them enjoy stories so much, even if it means a few extra bedtime minutes.
My boy went through the 'one more story' phase too, which resulted in me having a repertoire of 20 different stories by heart! Fortunately (or unfortunately), his interest in screen time grew and he eventually moved past the habit, just like @wellness 's situation. I think it's great that her son enjoys snuggling up for some reading or e-reading. It's one of those precious childhood moments that create sweet memories! But man, some days I just needed an end to the routine especially when they're overly enthusiastic about story time after lights out.
That's an interesting observation! My little one did go through a phase where she wanted "one more story," but unfortunately (or fortunately), it didn't last long. She moved on pretty quickly from the obsession with one particular book and became interested in another soon after. Each time, it felt like we were starting over with a new favorite. Looking back, I realize how those moments of snuggling up with her and reading the same story over and over actually trained my brain to function better at nighttime. That whole 'mom-on-auto-pilot' mode while reading the stories became so routine that even when my mind was dead tired, I could still get through them without much effort. These days she's more interested in acting out and discussing the books rather than hearing the same story nightly. So the 'one more story' request is not as common now, but the habit of reading before bed has definitely stuck!
I think it's true what they say about children all being different, so there's no one-size-fits-all solution! My two kids barely needed any sleep training - which I attributed to luck more than anything else - but a consistent bedtime routine has helped us immensely. We keep the evenings calm with baths, an early dinner, and minimal screen time. Then at bedtime, we have our choose-your-own-adventure stories - each child gets to pick a few pages/episodes they want to hear from any story. It's often the same ones repeated but they love it and look forward to their special time.
Yes, it's a rare triumph when we figure out a solution that pleases everyone! The e-reader has been a fun discovery, especially with its built-in dictionary and cool fonts that make reading seem like a cool trick. But I'm sure many kids will still have their phase of wanting physical storybooks read to them, simply for the snuggles and company.
The allure of technology is definitely hard to resist and could be a double-edged sword. I've heard of kids getting addicted to games or spending uncontrolled hours online, which I would definitely want to avoid. But as he's an avid reader himself, I think the e-reader encourages him to follow his interests and empowers him to choose his reads independently - setting some boundaries while he enjoys the freedom. He doesn't have any interest in gaming yet, so I'm hopeful that if I continue to emphasise the reading aspect, the habit will be sustainable.
The ereader has been a godsend for sure, and I'm not too worried about the potential negative effects of technology as I've installed parental controls and tailored the experience to his reading level and interests. The device maintains the story aspect he loved so much, striking the right chord between independence and engaging storytelling. If anything, I think it has encouraged him to explore books beyond the few physical copies we have at home, fostering a wider appreciation for various narratives. It's a wonderful phase where he's just starting to grasp the power of stories!
I got my son the latest Kindle Paperwhite - nothing fancy, but he loves the touch screen and can swipe away independently. He's five, so I think that was a good age to introduce an e-reader. I remember researching about toddlers and screens, and most recommendations suggest avoiding them until at least four years old, especially since their eyesight is still developing and screens may impact that. There are also contrasting theories about the impact on their brain development, but many agree that interactive learning through tablets and such can be beneficial for older toddlers and preschoolers. So it's a tricky terrain to navigate! But for us, the e-reader worked like a charm.
The e-reader definitely piques his interest in reading more than ever before, so I'm hopeful that the lure of technology won't backfire drastically. The device has a timer function, and as he's an avid reader now, I'm confident that his imagination will continue to soar even after 'official' bedtime. He knows that reading lights up our brains and makes them happy, so I often catch him 'secretly' reading long after the timer has turned off the screen!
. Motherhood eh; always evolving!
The allure of technology is definitely hard to resist, especially for us adults, let alone children! I think the key lies in setting clear boundaries and ensuring the e-reader is not overused or associated with sleep. It's easy for kids to become overly reliant on it, which may cause issues later on.
The e-reader definitely has its allure -- there's a nice balance of technology and storytelling that keeps him engaged. He's too young for us to worry about screen time, so this solution ticks the boxes for now. I'm aware the obsession might change and evolve as he grows up, so we're prepared to adapt and review along the way! It's quite an exciting journey and I love discovering all these little tips from other mums!
