a "been-there" mom of six offers encouragement
to wives, young mothers, and those not so young,
and simple common-sense approaches to
the "ings" of life:
child-rearing (hints and helps), homemaking (all areas),
cooking (simple, cheap, and do-it-yourself)
making (toys and gifts), preparing (for the unexpected),
maintaining (sanity and peace in this increasingly crazy world) and more---
all aspects of making the most of making do on little---
and having fun in the process.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Solving the Daily Bedtime Nightmare

Was it just our kids or do all kids fight bedtime?


There are many nights I would love to go to bed at eight or nine o'clock. Why do most kids fight it so? I doubt if ours were the exception. They prolonged bedtime as much as possible. Here is how we capitalized, somewhat, on this procrastination.

After each child was in bed either Dave or I would go to each one and talk to them, asking them what their best thing was that day. Since they wanted to avoid "lights out" they usually had something to share with us. We rarely spent more than a minute or two with each one but it was usually "quality" time, allowing us to both tuck them in and leave them with a pleasant thought before going to sleep.

On a few occasions that moment opened the flood gates and we discovered some unhappy deed or worrisome question a son or daughter was struggling with. At those times, the minutes extended into well-worth-it hours. Dad, mom and child would go into the kitchen and talk----perhaps over a cup of hot chocolate.

Hot Chocolate Mix
11 cups instant powdered milk
6 oz. jar non-dairy powdered creamer
16 oz container instant chocolate drink mix
1/2 cup powdered sugar


Combine and store tightly covered in a large container. To serve, fill a mug or cup one-third full with the mix (or to taste) and stir in hot water.


Gourmet Hot Chocolate

  • Top with marshmallow or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  • Create your own gourmet beverage by adding cinnamon, peppermint, orange, or other flavorings to your cup of hot chocolate. The flavored commercial packets cost at least 50 cents for a 3/4 cup serving!

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