Mommy makes me go to bed
When I’m still wide awake,
Then makes me get up in the morning
When I’m still sleepy, for goodness’ sake!

Bedtime is not something that many children look forward to. It is difficult for even the most experienced parent to make bedtime a happy time.

When my children were young, I sang learning songs to them each night. We had the ABC song, the Days of the Week, the Months of the Year and counting songs. They refused to go to sleep until we had gone through our ritual. I even made them a tape to use when I was gone, once for a whole year in Vietnam.

When they got older I would threaten them that I was going to come in there and sing if they didn’t be quiet and go to sleep. It worked every time.