Sparkle doesn’t like bedtime. Neither do Crystal or Dixie. I don’t know if anyone enjoys bed time.

Sometimes I wonder at night why they don’t and the reasons for their unwillingness can be mixed and varied on a daily level. There is no rhyme or reason sometimes. They simply don’t like bed time.

I don’t remember having that issue growing up. I don’t remember looking forward to it but I knew it was necessary. My mom may differ in her opinion but I am writing today.

I love you mom!

I am a generally a morning person. Please don’t hold it against me if when I am in your time zone I struggle. Our time never shifts ahead or back where I live, so my body is pretty used to the time.

Anyway back to the girls.

The most common complaints I receive are the following.

“The girls aren’t going to bed at the same time as me.” – Sparkle

“We aren’t little girls anymore.” – Crystal and Dixie

“There is no school tomorrow.” – All three

Each and every reason has some logic.

I was told the other day, “It’s not disobedience, we just take longer than you wanted.”

Ultimately each conversation comes down to responsibilities and expectations.

Sparkle expects to be treated like her older sisters, Dixie expects to be treated like her older sister, and Crystal expects to be treated like an adult. These expectations are unrealistic yet very difficult to explain.

When our expectation is “x” and we get “y” we are disappointed. Why?

Human nature!

We always expect to get the same treatment as everyone else. That sounds logical and fair. Sounds perfect but it’s not.

Why?

Expectations need to be connected somehow to our capacity and responsibility. Please let me explain.

Sparkle can’t expect to drive because Crystal can. This is very obvious but when it comes to other rules in life the obvious is not as obvious.

So when they want to stay up late that’s fine because they will still have to get up on time tomorrow and of course reminding them that a good attitude is expected in the morning.

As we do this we teach them responsibility. There will be consequences for their actions. There will be days when they don’t want to get out of bed. That’s when I get to remind them to be happy and cheery. Again I am a morning person. Don’t hate me for that.

They must learn to think things thru, plan ahead, think about tomorrow.

Now when Sparkle is tired she asks what time it is. After I tell her she asks if she can start sleeping even though it isn’t bedtime because she is tired.

They understand that they have responsibilities and I have expectations for them.

Together our expectations become similar and bed time gets easier.

Is it time for bed yet?