My first giveaway to promote the GoodNites “Special Bedtime Moments” Contest has ended, and congratulations goes to Teresa from the blog Tiaras & Tantrums, who entered the contest and giveaway with a cute story about trying to get herself, her husband, and their kids all settled down to sleep when they are all trying to claim a spot for themselves in the same big bed!
Since the GoodNites Special Bedtime Moments Contest is going until August 14th, and since they offered me three prize packs, I decided to split my giveaway up into three parts to keep it fresh in everyone’s mind. Okay, mostly so I didn’t just post it once and totally forget about it, okay? I ADMIT IT.
So that means I’m having another giveaway of a totally awesome totebag full of great stuff! If you entered the other giveaway, you CAN enter this one. And,you can enter both the GoodNites contest AND this contest once per day per email address, so the more you share, the more chances you’ll have to win a Grand Prize bedroom makeover for your child as well as a special bedtime totebag from me!
And for those of you reading this who didn’t enter last month’s giveaway and are going “huh? what the heck is she babbling about? Maybe I’ll just go read Twitter or something”, WAIT! It will all make sense in a minute, I swear.
So here’s the deal. Here on Table for Five, I am giving away a prize pack from GoodNites, the fine folks who make nighttime Underpants, Sleep Pants, and Sleep Boxers designed to take the pressure off of kids who have bedwetting issues, so that they can get a good night’s sleep. We went through it with my oldest son and trust me, when you find something that works, that first night that everyone sleeps all night, it is your best night of sleep EVER.
GoodNites wants to know what you do with your child(ren) to make bedtime special. Do you read, sing, tell stories, say prayers? Does your child need a certain blanket, pillow, stuffed animal? What about a bedtime snack? Two winning entries will be chosen to win Grand Prize Bedroom Makeovers worth $2500.00 !
The first step in this giveaway is for you to go to the GoodNites website and click where it says “Special Bedtime Moments Contest ENTER NOW”. Complete the steps to enter the contest. Step 3 is where you write a short (200 words max.) entry about a special bedtime moment, routine, or tip for parents. After you write your entry, before you click “Continue”, copy your entry! Then, come here and paste it into a comment. That’s your main entry in this giveaway.
WHAT YOU CAN WIN:
o $100 gift certificate to PajamaGram.com
o $50 gift certificate to Borders
o Blanket
o Bedtime journal for recording special bedtime moments
o Overnight tote bag to hold all items mentioned above
Retail value $250.00 !!
MAIN ENTRY: As described above, enter the GoodNites Special Bedtime Moments Contest and paste your entry text into a comment here.
ENTRY RULES: Enter by July 22nd at 11:59 PM EST. The winner will be chosen at random and emailed for their name, mailing address and daytime phone. Open to U.S. entrants only.
EXTRA ENTRIES: I’ll give you one extra entry for each of the following that you do or have done. Leave a separate comment for each:
- Follow me on Twitter or let me know if you already do. Tweet the giveaway and leave the URL in your comment.
- Mention this giveaway in a blog post and link to this post. Leave the URL in your comment in case Comment Luv misses it.
- Help drive traffic to the giveaway-Stumble the post, submit it to Digg or Kirtsy, or post a link to the giveaway somewhere other than your blog. Leave the link in your comment, you can leave a separate comment for EACH that you do.
- Help drive traffic to Table for Five! Grab the code for my blog button for your sidebar or links page, or add a text link to Table for Five to your blogroll. Leave your URL in a comment (I’ll check!)
- Help increase my stats! Friend me on Facebook or subscribe to my FriendFeed. Leave a separate comment for each.
***EDITED TO ADD: I am getting a lot of comments that just say “thanks” or “I’d love to win”. I cannot accept entries that do not have the text of the Special Bedtime Moments Contest Entry pasted in. You just have to come up with a few sentences about your bedtime routine with your kids. Don’t have kids of your own? What was your bedtime routine like when you were a kid? You have to work a little to be entered to win this one! Otherwise I will have to delete your comment.*****
Thanks for entering and good luck everybody!
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Twitter: hsimone
says:
I enjoy reading Mother Goose nursery rhymes to my nieces to get them to sleep.
I would love to win this for my Katrina.
http://www.goodnites.com/na/Contest/Entry.aspx
I would love love love to win this!
Twitter: Table4Five
says:
Hi Ashley,
Please follow the contest rules, including entering the GoodNites contest and pasting your entry into a comment here. Good luck.
elizabeth
I am a wife, a mother, and a graduate student. I’m currently researching mommy blogs, and I found your blog through one of the blogs I follow. I would appreciate your input about why you blog! If you would participate, please visit my blog—http://reflectionsofasheepishlion.blogspot.com—and answer my questions in your comment.
Thank you, and God bless you.
Love PJ’s and a good read!
Twitter: mogrill1212117
says:
Would LOVE to win. Nothing like a comfy pair of PJs, good book and a warm bed. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
Wow I never heard any contest same as this
in our place. We only have pajama party and games.
I have many good bedtime moments with my cat Claudio and
with my mom..
My cat Claudio loves to lay on my tummy every time we go to sleep together..and he used to play on my hair. He wakes me up every 5 am through his MEOW and MEOW…
and I really miss that moment.
We read a new book everynight. Every week, we go to the library to get new books!
We make a ritual out of it-they each pick a story they’d like to read and we snuggle up in bed with their stuffed animals together. They look look forward to going to bed now!
I follow on Twitter as Jessilyn82 and did a tweet http://twitter.com/Jessilyn82/status/2561133182
Added your button http://jessilyn82.blogspot.com/
My daughter is 2 years old and looks so innocent and sweet on her little knees saying her prayers. When she is done with her prayers, like clockwork, she makes sure she wipes her dolls little mouth and then tells her she loves her and they both give mommy a kiss. The moment is embedded in my heart.
I entered the contest on the website!
Before I leave my daughters room for the night we sing barney’s “I Love You” Song together. After we finish they say “bye bye” and “night night”. They know it is time to sleep – no crying! And they fall asleep knowing they are loved.
I love to read to the grandkids, good for them and reminds me of my childhood when my grandfather read to me
I entered the contest.
Before they go to sleep at night we read to them. I will always remember that as long as I live.
I’d love to win these things. Reading to kids at night is one of the best things you can do for them.
My wife wears flannel in the summer, we need a change!
We read a new book everynight. Every week, we go to the library to get new books!
Twitter: Vergingon40
says:
We always read to our grandson, especially at bedtime when we settle in with our “Bedtime Teddy” and a good book.
I entered the GoodNites Special Bedtime Moments Contest. My story title was “Chasing The Dreams” I always read to my children every night before they go to bed. I pick a theme like dinosaurs,knight,dragons, fairies,princesses and find figures to animate the story I will read. I make a mini production and the children get so involved in the book. In no time they are drifting off to chasing their dreams.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
I am a frind on your Facebook.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
My entry: From an early age, my kids always loved being read to. Once they started school, I didn’t want to bedtime to be a struggle, so the rule was that they each had a bedtime, but if they chose to stay up and read (or be read to), then they could stay up another 1/2 hour and I’d stay with them if they wanted. Reading meant staying up later, so they learned to love it!
Oops sorry – I forgot to put the tweet in post #18 http://twitter.com/bsw529/status/2575605196
I requested to be a Facebook friend – barbarawr
I subscribed to your Friend Feed.
our bedtime routine consists of a story and a bit of cuddle time then straight to sleep
I entered at Goodnites and my storey is called overcoming Fear and this is what I wrote:
Night terrors engulfed our 3 boys for 5 years and Goodnites had been our choice for the bedwetting. At the end of the day and when the sandman was to arrive my husband and I would hold them and gather together and hug and hold one another and tell funny things that happened during each day. We would teach them about feelings and tell them we loved them and make sure little safety features that were important to them were in place to give reassurance. We had night lights and group hugs and those funny little stories. Each had a special blanket , pillow or stuffed animal that would be tucked in bed with them. We would rock them, comfort them and sing to them and now, their sleep is uninterrupted and those bright smiles in the morning gives joy in my heart, as the early sunrise shines in.
My routine is to read a bedtime story every night
I am your friend on Facebook!
Twitter: auntiethesis
says:
My entry:
Stuffed Animal Sentries & Songs:
It started when my daughter was 5, that fear of what lurks in the closet. I started the game then; stuffed animal sentries. I would open the closet door and look inside and declare: “No monsters in there, throw me threeâ€. My daughter would then pick 3 stuffed animals for her bed to be the closet sentries for the night. I’d line them up in front of the closet door and they’d keep guard all night while she slept.
The other game we played was the Bailey-Bear song. One of her stuffed dogs was named Bailey-bear and every night we’d make up a new rhyming verse for our song “Bailey-Bear, Bailey-Bear, standing there, in her underwear, because she has no hair, our Bailey-Bearâ€. My daughter is 13 now, we have a real dog named, you guessed it, Bailey-Bear. We sing the Bailey-Bear song to her now. That little dog’s whole body wags when my daughter sings the song to her.
Twitter: auntiethesis
says:
Stumbled:
username:auntiethesis
Twitter: auntiethesis
says:
You’re on my blogroll
auntiethesis.blogspot.com
and I added your button
Twitter: auntiethesis
says:
I’m a Facebook Friend (Michelle Hudak)
Twitter: auntiethesis
says:
I follow on twitter & I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/auntiethesis/status/2594251361
My entery:
“Each night my son chooses a diffent family member to read to him. At the end, he always calls for me to come and find him ( he usually hides under the bed). Once I locate him, he climbs into bed and asks to be “tuckled”. I put the covers over him and tease him that what her really wants are “mommy’s kisses” which he adamantly denies but quite obviosly loves due to the belly laughs the kisses generate
”
Twitter: vickiecouturier
says:
When my kids were small an now my grandchildren,we have a routine at night,bath,potty,story,kiss,an the last a Tuck In,they would let me know if I didnt get the order right,or missed just one thing,an now they are doing it with their children!
Twitter: vickiecouturier
says:
I follow on twitter an tweeted;vickiecouturierhttp://bit.ly/G7hnd
Twitter: vickiecouturier
says:
I subscribed to your friend feed
Twitter: vickiecouturier
says:
I just became a friend on facebook
I just left this on the wrong post, sorry…
My daughter always wants another story. And then another. And another. In exasperation, I told her we would only read one story at bedtime. Ever the haggler, Roo asked if I would tell her a story about when I was little instead of reading a book. She can ferret out minute details and make me stay longer than I would ordinarily…
This is mine that I submitted today at Goodnites
they are trying to learn to read and it is so much fun to let them try and read or let them tell the storey in their own words by looking at the pictures.
We make a ritual out of it-they each pick a story they’d like to read and we snuggle up in bed with their stuffed animals together. They look look forward to going to bed now!
Twitter: carogonza
says:
here is my story: Celestial Friends ~ When I was little I used to be afraid of the dark. My mom came in one day and said I had nothing to be afraid of. SHe told that I needed to look out the window and watch the moon because it was there to keep the bad things away. She also told me to try and count the stars because they were there to protect me. And she every star that I could count was a friend. It actually worked.
Twitter: carogonza
says:
tweeted & follow on twitter-carogonza: http://twitter.com/carogonza/status/2605125500
Twitter: carogonza
says:
facebook friend: carolyn gonzalez
I read “Goodnight Moon” a million times, he just loves that story.
Babar the elephant was the book of the night! over and over I read it to them they knew every word……….every pictures…………and they were going to sleep listening! This was long ago!
Genevieve
Every night at bedtime we spend time with each of our 3 children seperately. To talk about the day and read a special story. Its wonderful to end the day with my children.
Thank you for the chance
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
I entered at Goodnites under the title, “Goodnite Michael”
Bedtime is a happy time with my grandchild, Michael. What makes it a happy time? There is a sequence to winding down from the day. First is a relaxing bath; next picking out the pajamas he wants to wear that night followed by hugs and kisses for each member of the family. One family member reads him stories and prays with him. Then it is off to sleep. A wonderful wind-down to a busy day.
I blogged about the contest here
http://betty-n.blogspot.com/
I have your button
http://betty-n.blogspot.com/
Twitter: juliemeagan
says:
I start with a bedtime snack, then it’s time to brush his teeth. After that, it’s story time, and then off to bed!
Twitter: 2kidsblogger
says:
every night my son and I snuggle in and read a book together. My older son use to want daddy to read every night and not mom,…would hurt my feelings. Now my youngest wants only me too read – now I’d like daddy to read every once in awhile
I’d love to win this prize, thanks for sponsoring this.
2kidsblogger(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter: 2kidsblogger
says:
I am a friend on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/2kidsblogger
I entered over at Goodnights and titled it blowing kisses. Each night, just before i leave my boys room, I blow a kiss in their direction. They then simultaneously blow a kiss at me. I “slap” my cheek and stumble out of their room from the force of their mighty air kiss. this always causes a few giggles and happy moments before they drift off to sleep.
I’m a friend…on Facebook
I am having a baby in November,so this prize would really come in handy.
Twitter: Table4Five
says:
Brandlyn-if you’d like to be entered to win this prize, you’ll need to follow the directions regarding entering the GoodNites contest and posting your entry in your comment here. Thanks!
tweet here http://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/2633627290
I Digg you….(Betty3710)
http://digg.com/educational/upcoming
I didn’t know what category so I just listed it as educational.
I entered, copied and pasted!
When putting my preschooler to bed, we like to listen to a few songs on an instumental CD with some very tranquil and relaxing songs. Then we read a book and say goodnight. It is a good way for both of us to wind down.
I have six grandchildren that I spend countless time with. We do all sorts of activities together, this prize would be awesome!!
Twitter: yadgirl
says:
My entry was: I love reading at bedtime. It helps me relax.
Twitter: yadgirl
says:
I requested your friendship in Facebook.
I have a simple routine for my one-year-old. After she has her bath and I put on her pajamas, I read her a book (or two). Goodnight Moon is a favorite, also Pajama Time by Sandra Boynton. I sing her some lullabies, and if I’m lucky, she drifts off to sleep.
Aww man! I didn’t get that the text didn’t post immediately, so here’s verbatim what I said (the title is exact)
Fie Upon the Toddler Bed!
Instead of opting for a toddler bed, go for a twin or a full size. More than likely you’ll be reading stories before bed and it’s so much easier to snuggle when you can feel your legs!
MY ENTRY:
GOODNIGHT MOOM
THIS IS ACTUALLY A VERY SAD STORY BUT VERY TOUCHING. I AM SURE THAT IF YOU HAVE A CHILD YOU HAVE READ THEM THE STORY GOODNIGHT MOON. IN THE STORY YOU SAY GOODNIGHT TO ALL THE OBJECTS. THROUGHOUT THE STORY THERE IS A PICTURE OF A BABY BUNNY IN BED AND A BIG BUNNY IN THE ROCKING CHAIR. MY DAUGHTER IS 21 MONTHS. SO SHE NAMED THE LITTLE BUNNY AFTER HERSELF- SAMANTHA AND THE BIG BUNNY MAMA. THEN THE LAS PAGE IS A PICTURE OF THE LIGHTS OUT AND THE BABY BUNNY SLEEPING BUT THE “MAMA” IS NOT IN THE ROCKING CHAIR. MY POOR DAUGHTERS LIPS QUIVERED. THEN A TEAR ROLLED DOWN HER CHEAK AND SHE SAID “WHERES MAMA?”. I SAID MAMA PROBABLY WENT TO THE BATHROOM. SHE SAID NO. I TRIED TO TURN THE PAGE BACK TO SHOW HER THE MAMA AND SHE DIDNT ACCEPT IT. THEN I EXPLAINED MOMMY IS NEVER GOING TO LEAVE AND SHE WILL COME BACK. IT WAS THE SADDEST MOMENT AND SO HEARTBREAKING. BUT ITS A MOMENT I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET. i JUST HUGGED HER SO HARD AFTERWARD CAUSE I DONT WANT HER TO EVER THINK THAT I WILL NOT BE THERE.
Twitter: Table4Five
says:
oh my gosh CINDY, your poor sweet little girl worrying about the Mama leaving the baby bunny alone is the saddest story! And yet, so touching and sweet because she loves you so much and she never wants you to leave. Little sweetheart. Thanks for sharing.
I Stumbled here http://grandmaabc.stumbleupon.com/blog/
Added you to my blog roll http://betty-n.blogspot.com/
I subscribed to your friend feed (http://friendfeed.com/grandmaabc) This was my first introduction to subscribing to this;I think I followed the directions correctly.
I would LOVE a new pair of pj’s and from pajamagram? I hear about them all the time on Bob and Tom.
ahodges070501@live.com
Twitter: Table4Five
says:
Alicia-to be entered to win, you need to follow the giveaway directions. Post your special bedtime moment on the GoodNites site and paste it here as well. thanks.
Bedtime moment for today: My nieces used to live with me a part of each school year while their parents traveled for their business. Each labor day we took them with us for a family get together at a fun place. My youngest niece always slept with “Sleepy Baby”, a stuffed doll with “sleepy” eyes. Well, we got ready for bed the first night and we realized we had forgotten to bring Sleepy Baby. And this child was not going to try to go to bed without Sleepy Baby. We were too far away to go home and get the doll and we were not looking forward to the week end. And then…Uncle Tom came to the rescue. He took a plastic glass from the room, covered it with a hand towel, tied it so it had a face and body, drew sleepy eyes on it and gave it to my niece. We could not believe it….our little niece accepted this “substitute” Sleepy Baby and climbed into bed with it and went to sleep.
I am relaxed just thinking about a PajamaGram! And boy do I need to relax!
My favorite bedtime moment is, believe it or not…playing a board game right before bed. Right now we have a monopoly game set up. Just 10 minutes before bed each night. We unwind and transition smoothly to slumber.
Another GoodNite story (and good morning)
One of my little grandsons could not be read to, even at the age of two. He had difficulties in sitting for anything. He was always in motion. So at bed time, to start something bonding at bedtime each member of the family “snuggled” him, kissed him goodnight and mom or dad would take him off to bed. He got up one morning and no one was up. He went in to each of his three siblings rooms and asked them if they wanted to snuggle him! (I think it shows it did have a really positive meaning for that little boy!) (An update for now: He is almost caught up with his age group; he has been dismissed from all special programs, and he is showing a beginning ability to read at 4 years old and he now loves being read to…a real miracle for this little guy!)
I entered twice on the 16th….so I won’t add another one for July 17th; I will just let that one count. Sorry, I had written one early in the morning and then when I came back later that day, I thought this was one I still needed to enter. So I typed it out; hit submit comment…and off it went!
We always read bedtime stories. It doesn’t matter how crazy life is, what’s going on, or who’s sick, tired, or cranky. Every night for at least 1/2 hour we sit down to read.
I don’t have children yet, but not for lack of trying. I think that one of the things I most look forward to is reading my children Dr. Seuss books in a warm bed and watching them fall asleep. Thanks for the giveaway!
From my entry titled “Very First Goodnights”:
I am almost 8 months pregnant and after I put my preschooler to bed, I try to spend a few minutes in the rocking chair in the nursery. I talk to my baby about what is in his room and how my day was. It is a little bit of peaceful time for both of us.
I entered with my other email address- thanks!
Bedtime story for today:
Sometimes a child gets attached to a particular object to take to bed with him. One of my grandsons was particularly attached to the book “Goodnight Moon” and he would take it to bed with him every night. Well, Goodnight Moon somehow got lost. When grandma heard about it, she went to the book store and bought two copies of Goodnight Moon; one for the little guy and one for her house. She then went directly to the grandson’s house to deliver his copy of Goodnight Moon. He seemed very happy until she was ready to go and he started crying and pointing to the bag that had her copy of Goodnight Moon in it…he thought she was taking his Goodnight Moon book. So mommy stepped in and tried to explain that she gave him a copy and she had a copy….grandma wasn’t trying to take his book. He was so young, I don’t know if he understood or not but at bedtime he was happy to go to bed with his “Goodnight Moon”
I like to snuggle with my kids before they go to sleep. I take my baby and go into my 10 year old’s bed and he’ll make up a story while we’re all cuddled together. Then I kiss him goodnight, kiss my baby goodnight and get her in her crib.
I follow you on twitter and tweeted! http://twitter.com/Me_Janine/status/2710004832
Twitter: susitravl
says:
My kids are older now – but I always loved giving them a little bedtime snack, and cuddling up on the sofa to read them a bedtime story. They would laugh and laugh when read Green Eggs and Ham really fast.
I don’t have kids yet, but I can’t wait to read them Charlotte’s Web. As a child, I would often ask my mom to read it to me at bedtime, as it was my favorite book. My mom passed away last year, but I will always treasure those memories.
Bedtime moments: When a young child isn’t feeling well, he/she needs even more rest. But the idea of going to bed/nap earlier isn’t really what they want to do. Most of our grandchildren have fallen asleep on Grandpa’s chest as grandpa watching TV and patted or cuddled the little one. There is something about a grandpa…big chest and arms and lots of love for the little one…that the little one completely relaxes and falls asleep. Grandpa then takes the little one to his/her own bed where he/she continues to sleep. These are precious moments for grandpa and for the child.
I am a follower and as a Teacher and mother we read a lot in our home and I love watched my babies get excited when they are describing a book they are reading .and I would give this to my sister who birthday is coming up
Twitter: AccidentalMommy
says:
This was my entry over on the GoodNites site:
My son has always needed extra attention at bedtime. Now at age 5, it’s gotten easier but we still have certain rituals. First, is getting PJ’s on, next is brushing teeth, then we get him a cup of “iced cold water” in a sippy cup for next to his bed, then we tuck him in but the blankets have to be in a particular order or he cannot sleep. He also has about 14 stuffed friends who have a specific place on his bed and they have to be in just the right order or he cannot sleep.
Recently we have started to read the book “Harry Potter and the Scorcerer’s Stone” together – he’s precocious and loves to read, and we read a few pages in his bed before he goes to sleep. Then I say “good night, I love you”, give him a kiss and hug and get up to leave. As I leave and turn off the light, he says “I love you too, bye” which I then repeat, and he then repeats…about 8 times or so before we stop.
We’ve come a long way from the days when I had to lay next to his bed until he fell asleep.
I remember bedtime stories I love reading them to my grandson. Pajama-Gram is so great I really like their P.J.’s. I still read Dr. Suess to my grandson.
Twitter: misaacmom
says:
I forgot to copy and when I went back the entry was called. It was titled create a relaxing environment. Basically I make sure my kids rooms are clean (calming) before they turn in. I pick up stray clothes and actually straighten the bed.
Twitter: misaacmom
says:
I follow in twitter @misaacmom
Twitter: misaacmom
says:
stumbled – marybeth i
Twitter: misaacmom
says:
http://twitter.com/misaacmom/status/2729310795 tweet
Twitter: misaacmom
says:
You are on my blogroll – it is in alphabetical order on the lower right. Backlinks are “disappearing” but are still there if you highlight. Working on fixing this.
http://misaacmom.blogspot.com
Our bedtime with my sweet daughter includes brushing our teeth, getting snuggly in bed and I recite from our favorite book….I love you forever, I like you for always, As long as I am living, My baby you will be. Then two kisses for her and two kisses on Stitch her stuffed favorite critter. Then lights out.
My entry text: I will always cherish the memory of my Dad making up stories of “Bobo the pink elephant” and her family of pink elephants. I am so grateful that he took the time and imagination to craft these sweet stories just for me.
Bedtime moments:
One of my granddaughters had a really difficult time sleeping when she was at our house. She would still be awake when I went to bed; during the middle of the night she would come and climb in bed with my husband and I. I wanted to think of a way to make the bedroom she slept in “hers” when she was at our house. The bedroom is “gender neutral” because I also have 6 grandsons. And this granddaughter was a real “girlie girl”. So we decided on little things…we got a pink throw and that is the cover for the bunk bed when she is here. There is a tall bookcase in the room so we cleared off one shelf to be “her” shelf. On it we put a piggy bank (she can count her “loot” whenever she comes…on the phone she will ask if we have fed her pig)She loves to read, so we went to the Goodwill Book Store and bought some paper back books in a series she was reading. We made a sign for the door with her name on it. And each time she comes down there will be something special (but little) for her on her shelf. (I get “girlie girl” things from garage sales, etc and put one thing on the shelf each time she comes.) She now considers it “her” room; she goes to sleep and hasn’t had to crawl in bed with my husband and I since.
We are currently reading a little Harry Potter each night, he wakes up in the morning asking me if we can read Harry Potter tonight!
Thanks!
Twitter: stigay
says:
entered:
My kids get to see me all day, so bedtime is a special time during which Daddy tells stories and talks with the kids, tucking them in before they go to bed. While they do play with him after he gets home from work, I think the bedtime with him is more special because the bonding is a little deeper. The kids enjoy it, my husband enjoys it, and I am happy that bedtime is a happy time.
I read to my daughter every night after her Bath to help her relax, forget the day,Get sleepy and Go to bed!
Twitter: ThriftyJinxy
says:
Reading a nice, calming book always makes bedtime go more smoothly
Twitter: kngmckellar
says:
I remember when I was a little girl my dad used to tell me a story about The Donkey The Dog The Cat and The Rooster. I think it was called The Bremman Town Musicians. It was about a robber who broke into a house and the donkey kicked the guy in the butt, the rooster flew after him and the cat scratched him. It was really exciting for a little kid. The robber then ran away, because it was dark and he thought some other guys got after him. I will have to look up this story some place to see if they have it anywhere!
As a grandparent, I like to make each child feel a little special. My youngest grandson was climbing and perching on top of his crib (he didn’t get out because he parents had told him not to get out until they got up.) He was not ready for a regular bed….he loved everything that had wheels, so I had the idea of getting a car bed for him to sleep at when he was at our house. So I watched the ads in the newspaper and sure enough there was a car bed for sale. Now we didn’t really have room for it but we would “make room”. So we got it. When the little guy next came down, we showed him “his” car bed. Wow! did he like that. We have not had any sleeping problems, nap or night time….he really likes his car bed. Of course, we do the normal type things before bedtime also: bath, story, hugs and kisses, prayer; but he is happy to go to his car bed and has a good night’s sleep. (Follow up note: my son and daughter in law were given a toddler bed and they transitioned him to that at their house)
We read a book everynight-lately I have been the one being read to!
Thank you for the contest.
I love Jules Vernes books and I wanted to instill the love of reading in my daughter. So, when she was 7 years old I ready her a chapter from “Journey to the Center of the Earth” every night before bedtime.
Twitter: dewer421
says:
I entered: Every night when we put the kids to bed, we snuggle and read stories. They love it when we make up stories about them and their lives. It keeps us close to each other and keeps us up to date with each others’ lives.
Our bedtime routine with baby is simple, but we’re going to keep to it once she’s born. First the light goes out, then Hubby spends a few minutes holding the belly and chatting to her (I never get to hear it!), then we snuggle down and go to sleep. It’s simple and it’s routine, so we’re going to try and stick to it!
Twitter: dddiva
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After brushing teeth we march, march, stiff as starch to bed then cuddle as we read a story together. After that it is writing in a little journal about the wonderful things we did that day then prayers and a song and off to dreamland.
We think it gives the kids something positive and nice to think about as they are drifting off.
Twitter: dddiva
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We tweet together dddiva
http://twitter.com/dddiva/status/2763999178
Twitter: dddiva
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We are facebook friends Sherry Conrad
Twitter: dddiva
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Friend Feed dddiva
We read a book to our daughter, she says her prayers, then gives everyone hugs and kisses and goes to bed.
Twitter: eswright18
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My entry: When my 2 little grandsons sleep over we always follow bath time with a story and prayers. Then they won’t go to sleep until I tell them “nighty night, don’t let the bedbugs bite.”
Twitter: sgrant2005
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Every night before we all fall asleep we lay in bed with our son and his father and I take turns singing him his favorite bedtime songs until his little eyes close and we know he is good and asleep. Then we kiss him good night and drift off ourselfs
I entered the Good Nites contest. Here is the text I entered on their website:
My daughter is 4 years old. As many mothers do, I snuggle up in bed with her at night and read her one or two bedtime stories. She always gets to pick one of the stories, and I pick the other one. Then, after her stories, I spend time just talking to her. Even though she’s only 4, I ask her questions like “what was your favorite part of today?” and things like that. Just something to get her talking. I really enjoy these bedtime pillow talks with her, and I hope she always enjoys sharing her thoughts and dreams with me (even when she’s my age).
macd82 at gmail dot com
Here’s my entry at Goodnites:
Bedtime for young children.
When my children were very young, I’d always read them a book at bedtime. I started when they were infants and continued for many years. We’d pick books that reflected their current interests or their old favorites. We’d finish off with a few bedtime songs, then off to sleepy land. Lots of fond memories.
After my toddler is tucked into bed and we have read books we let her pick one thing to talk about. She picks the subject (a favorite memory, something that happened during the day or an upcoming event) and my husband or I fill in the details. It helps her process big events of the day, ease fears about upcoming events, or reminds her of some favorite memories to fall asleep to.
I entered, and my title is called “The Safest Place”. Here is what I wrote.. My bedtime moment is something simple but sweet. The other night my son, who is seven, was crying and complaining of his fear of the dark when going to bed. I went in his room and sat on his bed and remembered something my father used to say to me when I was little and afraid as well. He told me that my bed was the safest place on earth that I could be. I always believed in my father too. So I started telling this to my son the other day as well, I hope it helps. I know it may not be completely true in this world we live in, but we want so much for our children to live in a world without fear for as long as they can, for as long as we can bring them this comfort of being safe and loved.
MovieMomma@gmail.com
Here is my entry into the contest: My title is We Love to read.
We always read a book to my son at bedtime. He was able to choose a book and we would read in bed. I think that it helped him realize that reading is fun.
We climb into bed and read a few stories. Then we talk about our favorite parts of the day while we snuggle a bit. Prayers are said, backs are rubbed and kisses given. Then a little ‘Good Night Dream Spray’ is sprayed in the room (a natural lavender room spray). This is a great way to relax them before they drift off to sleep.
Twitter: murphykatt
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The title of my entry is Monster Sweep
Every night the kids and their Dad put on their headlamps and do a “monster sweep” of the entire house. They look under and into everything until they are satisfied no monsters are around to bother them while they sleep.
murphykatt[at]yahoo[dot]com
Bedtime moments: As a grandparent, it is very important to me that my grandchildren feel comfortable going to bed at my house. Sometimes they bring their own special item to sleep with but often they don’t. So, for one grandchild I have “Blue” dog from “Blues Clues”, for another a teddy bear, etc. I just found out about Glo E Bears…that would be perfect! The goodnight routine is still important; bath, stories,prayer, to sleep. But since the “to sleep” time means them being alone, I think it helps to have something to offer for them to sleep with.
Twitter: lovinmykiddos
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At bedtime I make sure its a time I let my kids know how special they are. I like to ask them “What did I ever do to get so lucky to have you?” I let them know how much i love them and let them know at least one thing a night something that makes them so spectacular. It may be their kindness, something they did really well that day, their cuteness, just something that boosts their self confidence and how lucky I am to have them for my children.
Twitter: lovinmykiddos
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follow on twitter as lovinmykiddos and tweeted http://twitter.com/lovinmykiddos/status/2777178123
Twitter: lovinmykiddos
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requested you to be my friend on facebook
I have grandkids and they would love this.
I give the kids a bath every night, then they change into their PJ’s, brush their teeth, kiss everyone good night and they pick out a couple of books for me to read while they lay in bed. By the time I’m done reading the books they are already half asleep.
Here’s my entry:
Bedtime at our house was always story time. When our kids were preschoolers, Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss was a favorite. Now that my son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first baby, they asked me, “Mom could you buy books for our baby? I especially want to read Green Eggs and Ham to him.”
Following you on Twitter and I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/artmarcia/status/2780415652
Here’s my entry:
My daughter is at the age where she likes to make up jokes, and an important part of our bedtime routine is to snuggle under the covers, and take turns telling each other crazy, silly jokes. My daughter embraces bedtime and goes to bed on a happy note.
Thanks! foxsquirrelrabbit at gmail dot com
My youngest daughter sleeps in the bed with us. My daughter and I go to bed at the same time and cuddle. We spend the first few moments talking about whatever she wants to talk about. It’s my favorite time of the day. She then spends the night sleeping on my right arm. She just turned 5 and I know this won’t last so I’m treasuring every moment of it.
Mine are grown now but when they were little, after bath, all clean and in their pjs we read a story. When they got bigger the story changed to things like Bobsee Twins and they got a chapter or two a night. After that they said their prayers, the now I lay me down to sleep, when they were little and when they got a little older they were very open with what they wanted to pray about. Even one night one of them had wanted to go to Nana’s for the night and was told she wasn’t feeling well. He prayed that night that God would not only heal her but make her where she wouldn’t be old any more and could play with him. I enjoyed that one for see my daughter carried on the traditions she had been taught and this prayer was from my grandson about ME>
My son is almost 2 and the bed time routine is so hard right now. I give him a bath brush his teeth and put his pjs on(easy right). Then i tell him its time to go to sleep and to go get a book, which he brings me as many books he can carry and i put him in bed and read to him until he falls asleep which takes for ever cause all the pictures in the book and the book i choose from the stack is not one he wants to hear and he chooses a different one and i end up reading the same book about 4 times before he finally falls asleep after he has his warm milk and his blankie.
Twitter: js22222222
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shoot, they didn’t show me the entry after it was complete.
Basically my story was about reading a bedtime ‘story’ to my nephew when he was about 4. He chose the book – a dinosaur STICKER book and reading it was basically reading the dinosaur names. These weren’t the usual dinosaur names but ones I’d never seen. My nephew kept correcting my pronunciation!!
So you might want to pick out the story or you might be sorry you let your child pick it out!
A good reading before bed, that s all it takes!
My little girl and I have a routine that we follow everynight, no matter where we are. We get in our jammies and then play together for 15 minutes. After play time we sit in our favorite rocking chair and read a book together. After book time I fix her a bottle of warm milk and we go to her room. I then rock her to sleep while singing her favorite songs Could you be loved by Bob Marley and Somewhere over the rainbow by Brother Iz.
Twitter: js22222222
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i follow on twitter – js22222222 .
tweet -http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/2786704294
Twitter: js22222222
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I requested to be a friend on facebook. http://www.facebook.com/js2222
Twitter: js22222222
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Winning would mean everything to me!
Every good night ends with a good night story being read from a book or made up by mom and dad.
my son would love it. he loves it when i read to him. great prize.
Bedtime stories are always good, lots of hugs and kisses and sometimes we let him fall asleep with us and then put him in his own bed (he’s a toddler!) thanks.
My entry text was:When I’m about to close the door at bedtime, I always say..I love you. The kids answer back..I love you the most. I say..I love you the mostest. And they end with I love you the mostiostiest.
I facebook friended you. Elizabeth Mays
I follow on twitter (blueviolet)
I blogged about it here
I added your site to my blog roll
When my daughter was little she loved The Story of the Three Bears and would often request my husband and I to read her the story of the “Free Beers.”
Me and my kid we love to read a litle dr.seuss and I tickle her a lot during the part where he sneezes, also we have a litle real life seuss toy that we play around with while reading it. Great times
Tweeted http://twitter.com/spalka/status/2791863496
Added your button to my blog
http://beenamommy.blogspot.com
Blogged http://beenamommy.blogspot.com/2009/07/table-4-five-electric-boogaloo-giveaway.html
A warm soothing bubble bath gets my kids ready for bed.