Bed time stories have traditionally been the time for a parent to sit with their child and enjoy a time in the fantastic world of fantasy together.  This article about bedtime stories describes a study which found parents who prefer to watch television at the end of the night, but that is not what I am advocating here either.

Story time is exciting and stimulating and a wonderful way to spend time with your child.  Saving it as the cue that the evening is over and it is time to regenerate our bodies by resting is really a shame.  Instead, I argue, story time should be the desert just after dinner or the first part of the day.

Stories are full of adventure and they are read in character. They keep our attention, scare us a little and fill our minds with wonder. When one adventure is over, we can’t wait to start another..and another and our little ones often beg to hear “one more.”  Bed time is rest time, a time to be still.

Instead of reading a book before bed, start a routine of three things for ex.  brush the teeth, put on the jammies and say a good night prayer.  What ever the task of three things, they should be routine and unstimulating.  Keep story time away from bed time.