If you don’t already have something like this, I highly recommend trying this wonderful bedtime routine idea with your children. Ask them these 3 questions each night:
- What is something that made you smile today?
- What is something that made you cry today?
- What is something that you learned today?
Asking your child these questions, although very basic, is extremely beneficial for their own personal development. While going through their day you get to bond and re-connect with them. You get to see them smile and laugh all over again as they remember what they enjoyed throughout the day, you see them become more serious as they discuss something that made them sad, and watch them feel proud as they explain what they learnt.
By asking these questions it helps children to become more emotionally in tune with themselves, it fosters their ability to articulate how they felt and why.
It is also extremely helpful in building a positive pathway for communication. Allowing them to feel comfortable coming to you later on in their life when they find something challenging, when they need advice or simply need a shoulder to lean on.
It also allows you as a parent to see how your children viewed their day. Your children may bring up things up you wouldn’t expect. It helps you, as a parent, to understand your children better, and to enjoy moments that you might not have been present for.
It also allows you to teach your children that even the negative experiences don’t have to end negatively. Mistakes are normal, failures always lead to valuable lessons.
I highly encourage incorporating these questions into your own bedtime routine with your children. It’s such an easy and effective conversation to have with so many benefits to you and them.
