Thursday, November 19, 2015
At the End of the Day
If you have read this blog for any amount of time, you know how important rhythm is to me, and in turn to Reece. It is grounding for both of us, and provides security and trust in knowing what is to come, both in our day to day living, and throughout our year. Some of our rhythms change with the seasons, and some of them change and evolve as Reece grows and matures. In the spring I added a little something to our end of the day rhythm, something that has made this time so very special for both of us...I began to ask Reece five questions.
After we have finished reading, and we are tucked in, snuggling under the blankets by the glow of a candle, I ask Reece the following five questions about his day.
What made you happy today?
What made you sad today?
What did you learn today?
What was the most fun you had today?
What are you most grateful for today?
He sometimes has an answer ready, and other times he is quiet for a moment or two while he thinks back over his day. At first, I asked the questions, and he answered, but a few weeks into this new rhythm he turned to me one night and said what about you mommy, what made you happy today? And so, it evolved and changed, and now we both answer the questions as I asked them, Reece always goes first, and then me. It is such a special time for us, sharing moments from our day, and I have to admit always interesting to hear his answers.
Once we are finished sharing bits from our day, I hold my little man and together we say this verse, one we have been sharing at the end of the day for three or four years now:
A star for you to wish on
The sun for warmth and light
The moon for you to think on
Sweet dreams, a kiss and a hug goodnight.
I say it often in this space, but it truly is the simple things that make life so darn amazing, and this addition to our end of the day rhythm is one of those simple things.
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This is so lovely! When I tuck my kiddos in a I remind them of a couple of things that I really enjoyed doing with them. Sometimes it is just "I really loved watching you..." I also remind them of something they struggled with and say, "but I bet it will be easier next time, if you keep trying." It's become one of our favorite moments in the day, especially because with three small kiddos close together, I don't always get the one on one time I'd like with them. I can always see their little faces light up when they realize that I was really paying attention to them!
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend. Oh Coco, that sounds wonderful too, I can just see their little faces lighting up as you share those precious moments with them before bed. Just lovely. xo
DeleteI just love this so much. Thank you for sharing this little glimpse of your days. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Yanic. xo
Deletewhat a beautiful way to end of day ... He wears softness to consciousness and certainly forges strong bonds of love in your hearts! xo
ReplyDeleteIt really is, and it is always interesting to hear his answers :) Thank you for those lovely words my friend. xo
DeleteKim, I think this is something that all of us can use. Asking ourselves these questions, allows the deeper part of us, the one that tends to pay attention to everything, but it is silenced by the busyness of our lives. Thank you for sharing your words Kim... thank you. mari
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Mari, I so agree. The night Reece turned it around and asked me was so wonderful, and it felt so good to look back over my day and remember those moments with him.
DeleteMy pleasure my friend. So nice to see you here. xo
I wish you the same, dear friend. Every day and every night. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you. xo
DeleteWe have a similar end of day rhythm here too. I love your little rhyme I might just have to use that too. It is the simple things that give our life shape and anchor us. Thank you for sharing this special time of day.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the little rhyme, and that your little ones enjoy it too :) And yes, the simple things really do that, don't they? You are most welcome, always happy to share.
DeleteOh my goodness, I love this idea so much! I used to try and ask our girls questions that required "real" answers (not just yes and no), but this is such a wonderful idea!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Anke!
DeleteYes, the simple things!
ReplyDeleteLove the verse you and Reece repeat each night Kim and the life you two have created, it really does sound so peaceful to me.
Much love.
Thank you Tracey, that means so much coming from you. It is peaceful...most of the time :) We do have our moments, but we are always quick to reconnect, and find the calm and peace again.
Deletexo
What a beautiful poem! I really like the way you end your days. I feel calmer just reading this.
ReplyDeleteThanks KC!
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to get tucked in !!! I learn so much from you. xoxo Have a good weekend
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you my friend. Wishing you a wonderful weekend too. xo
Deletebeautiful!! when we were first married my husband would get so stressed and negative. I would stop him and say, "list five things that make you happy". When you are stressed it's hard to switch gears and think happy but you know, when you focus on that then you have a lighter heart.
ReplyDeleteLove this ritual :)
Thanks Karen. What a great way to refocus. You are right it is hard, but if we can do it the benefits are amazing. Your hubby is lucky to have you :)
Deletexo
So sweet. I love simple bits of routine that can ground the day together. The kids and I have started doing 3 roses (3 great things about your day) and 1 thorn (a bad thing that happened) each night at dinner. It has been a great time for sharing and a nice routine for our new family of three. I read recently that you need 3 positive to balance out each negative (in your mind), so doing 3 roses and only 1 thorn hopefully helps put their mind in that perspective.
ReplyDeleteThanks Taryn. I love your new ritual, it sounds lovely. And yes, I have read that too, and what a great way to incorporate that theory into your day. Beautiful!
DeleteI really love that last verse. :) And your 5 questions are a special way to end the day in a meaningful way. Have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Hope you guys have a great weekend too.
DeleteI love how you end each day! We share our "rose" and "thorn" of each day but I think we may need to follow your lead and add in a few more!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for a reminder on that bedtime verse. We have two we use and that's one of them (it's been awhile since we said that one and I think it may be time to change things up for a bit)!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend, dear friend! xo
Thank you Shel! I love the rose and thorn idea, someone else mentioned that in the comments above.
DeleteHope you guys are having a great weekend too. xo
i LOVE this. what a beautiful routine. i may have to start incorporating something like this in our routine. you always have such lovely ideas.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Jenny. Hope you and your kiddos enjoy it :)
DeleteA beautiful routine. I will remember this for when Panda starts talking. Since he was born I've put him down for the night talking about what we've done throughout the day, this would be a nice evolution as he gets older. We also have a poem. Be well. Shine.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI can imagine how you must have felt when Reece first asked you. What a special time each night.
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing!
Delete