Tips & Tricks for Getting your Kids to Bed on Time

This morning I was greeted with an email from TwitterMoms and www.DramaU.net, it really got me thinking about a problem many parents have: Getting their children to bed.  While I do struggle with this problem, I find it easier on Christmas Eve, because of the activities we do during that day.

Here is the question at task:

"As a parent, you know how difficult it can be to get your child to go to bed at night and stay in bed all night - especially during the exciting holiday times! We would love to hear from you. What are your five tips & tricks for getting your kids to bed on time and getting them to stay in bed? Do you have special routines or rituals? Any tricks on getting kids to slow down and become sleepy? What do you do if they wander out of bed during the night? What works for your family?"

That is our Christmas Eve routine:

1. The first thing I do is wear them out :) Once I get home from work, we start making our own pizzas.

2. After dinner a good game of bowling or a movie is fun.  We can spend time together as a family, before we have to spend the next few days with extended family.

3. We then head over to "Candy Cane Lane" to view the lovely lights. (At this point some may already be asleep.)

4.Then we head home and the children get to open one present, selected by mommy.  It just happens to be jammies (who knew??).

5. Then its bath time and then get to put on their new jammies.

6. The girls then put out cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.

7. We conclude the night with a few books and if it isn't too late maybe a movie playing.

With years of bedtime dilemma's, I have found that a routine works best.  This is how we prepare for bedtime throughout the rest of the year.

1. Homework, Dinner, & Clean-up

2. Family time, whether we play a game, with toys, or watch a show.

3. Bath time & Jammies

4. Snack & Glass of Water

5. We then conclude the night with a book... and maybe play a movie.

So either plan is a basic of following a routine.  Sometimes we get out of swing of things, but most of the time, it works.

Cyber Monday Sales!

With so many awesome Cyber Monday deals going on, it’s hard to just pick a few.

But I will try :)

Here at Amazon.com I have found WowWee Wrex the Dawg Robotic Dog for $39.99 including FREE Super Savings Shipping.

This normally costs $149.99! You can’t expect to find it any cheaper this Holiday Season!

Last year, all my girls asked for was the Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker.  So of course, Santa brought it for them.  Well this year I have been thinking about getting them the Girl Gourmet ice Cream Sandwich maker... and for this price, I can't pass it up!

Another toy my girls have had their eyes on is the Rose Petal Cottage. Amazon has the megapack on sale for $99.99.  The megapack includes ROSE PETAL Cottage (with stove), ROSE PETAL Nursery, ROSE PETAL Sink, ROSE PETAL Washing Machine, ROSE PETAL Lounge Chair, & ROSE PETAL MAKIN MUFFINS BAKING SET. This is a very good price for all the items included! Plus with purchase, you can get a 1-year subscription to one of the following magazines: Parenting Early Years or Parenting School Years (a $9.97 value) included with your purchase or a rebate instead!

More deals to come as I find the best ones :)