I hate to admit it, but fun learning activities and crafts have been few and far between since this Mommy started growing another human being in her belly. No energy. No stamina. No time!!! No excuse.
I really should get the creative juices flowing again. Especially since baby #2 is on the way, and I don't want AB to feel like an afterthought. So, tonight I created a new Aldrich family ritual: The Goodnight Box.
Let me preface this by saying, night time and going to bed has been an absolute struggle for the last couple of months. This started when we got rid of the paci. Although she doesn't ask for it anymore, it doesn't make bed time as smooth as it use to be. If we even say the words, "bed time" AB gets in total freak out mode. She hates it. So, tonight before bed time, I busted out an extra special activity that AB has never been introduced to - play doh!!!
She loved it! We played for about 45 minutes and spent some time together right before bed. Even Daddy came over and played play doh for a bit. I decorated a plain, black hat box with stickers and labeled it "The Goodnight Box." I told AB that every night we would get the GNB out and play with the activity inside the box. I plan on changing it out every couple days. It may be play doh, it may be crayons and a special coloring page, it maybe a fine motor or sensory activity...the possibilities are endless.
Now, here's to hoping the GNB will be an incentive to not freak out at bed time! I'm hoping the quality time and "surprise" activity will be enough to encourage her to do well before bed! Here's to hoping!!
GREAT idea!
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