It's bedtime. Not your bedtime, the kids. You've had a busy, hectic and stressful day. You're looking forward to finally sitting down, putting your feet up and relaxing in front of the telly. You just need that moment to yourself. Before you can do that, you need to bath and settle the children down and get them safely tucked up in bed. It sounds easy, but as most parents know it can be a challenge, a battle even.
If things aren't going well, some children will sense it, seize on your apprehension and play up even more. It can be tempting to turn to threats, 'If you don't get into bed, it's no story for you!' For some, it will do the trick - children used to being read to hate to miss out, especially if there's a particularly juicy bit of the story coming up.
But some parents, you-know-who-you-are, find it all too much and slip into the habit of allowing the iPad or tablet to do the reading. You know it's wrong, but surely it's better than no story at all, isn't it?
The truth is, that moment, that pause for breath as you open the pages and dive deeply into another world is a true moment of magic for you and any child. In an instant of true togetherness it is possible to fly to other kingdoms of hope and magic, to laugh and dream, and drift quietly into slumber. Of course, it's better if the reader stays awake, but who hasn't been prodded awake by an indignant son or daughter after an especially trying day?
So, however tempting it is to 'give it a miss this time', remember they're not little for long and those bonding moments last for ever.
If things aren't going well, some children will sense it, seize on your apprehension and play up even more. It can be tempting to turn to threats, 'If you don't get into bed, it's no story for you!' For some, it will do the trick - children used to being read to hate to miss out, especially if there's a particularly juicy bit of the story coming up.
But some parents, you-know-who-you-are, find it all too much and slip into the habit of allowing the iPad or tablet to do the reading. You know it's wrong, but surely it's better than no story at all, isn't it?
The truth is, that moment, that pause for breath as you open the pages and dive deeply into another world is a true moment of magic for you and any child. In an instant of true togetherness it is possible to fly to other kingdoms of hope and magic, to laugh and dream, and drift quietly into slumber. Of course, it's better if the reader stays awake, but who hasn't been prodded awake by an indignant son or daughter after an especially trying day?
So, however tempting it is to 'give it a miss this time', remember they're not little for long and those bonding moments last for ever.