Help! Monsters!

Children's Bedtime

Do your children or grandchildren fight bedtime because of monsters?  I remember them from when I was a child and I’m sad to know they’re still hanging around.  We can thank the older kids on the playground, or on the school bus for keeping them so alive for the youngsters of today..

All three of my daughters went through a stage where they didn't want their light turned out when it was time to go to sleep.  Jeffrey, a boy at school, told one of them that monsters lived under their beds and they only came out when it was dark.

I can share what finally worked at my house.  After I read them a bedtime story, we said our prayers, I kissed them, and said goodnight.  Then the last thing I did before turning off the light ...

"Okay monsters, it’s been a fun day, but now it’s time for the girls to go to sleep.  It’s time for you to go home to your mommies. They’re waiting for you so they can read your night-night stories and say your prayers with you.  Bye-Bye and night-night!"

That did the trick. No more scary bedtimes.  How can anyone be scary if they have a mommy they love and who loves them? The monsters became friends.

Each of my poetry books for children have a prayer for the very last poem in the book.  Please feel free to share them with a child or a grandchild at bedtime.

My three girls were all “blankie” babies and had special stuffed animals for bedtime. Two had their thumbs for comfort while my third had her binkie.

Sleepytime Prayer

God bless my bedroom.
God bless my bed.
God bless the pillow
where I lay my head.
 
God bless my mom
and bless my dad, too.
They chase away monsters
that live in my room.

God bless my brother.
Bless my dog and my cat,
and okay, my sister,
even though she's a brat.
 
Thanks God, and Amen,
now up off my knees.
Wait! I forgot something!
God bless me, too, please.

**

Night Night

Night night moon.
Night night stars.
Night night noisy
trucks and cars.

Night night sand box.
Night night toys.
Night night other
girls and boys.

Night night Mom.
Night night Dad.
Night night Boogieman,
who's not bad.

It's time to go to sleep now,
most all my night nights said.
Night night blankie.
Night night bed.

**

Bedtime Prayer

Now I lay me down in bed.
All my prayers and night-nights said.
Snuggle lambie, teddy bear,
silly monkey, all are here.

Out with the light
so dreams will come.
Thank you, God,
for binkie and thumbs.

Night-Night

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