A few weeks ago, I posted on facebook that I was glad that Taylor (being a tween) would talk to me about boys and how she was feeling, etc. A friend of mine was asking how I got her to talk to me, and while I don't claim to be an expert, we have started a new bedtime routine that has made a difference. Some of you may have already heard other parents talking about this, but I remember when my children were really young, some of my friends with teens were talking about sitting with thier children at night and talking to them.
It has been a couple of years since I have really read bedtime stories to Taylor or Megan since they are older now and enjoy reading to themselves. So, I recently decided that I would sit with my girls for at least 5 or 10 minutes each when I go to tuck them in at night. Megan doesn't want to talk about school when she gets home in the afternoon, she is tired of school and wants to wind down. But, at bedtime she will tell me about her day and really enjoys the one-on-one attention. Megan is still not super open with me about her feelings, but she is opening up to me more and more during our talks at night. On the other hand, Taylor will start talking as soon as I enter her room and would go for an hour or two if I would stay and listen! That's just the different in their personalities. But, I have really enjoyed this new bedtime routine just as much if not more that my girls have, and we have gotten to know each other better than before. So, I encourage you to carve out a little one-on-one time just to talk with you children. There is no telling what you might find out!
