We’re adding onto the previous bedtime rituals we have: family prayer time; family cheer; group hug; spraying the pillows with lavender pillow spray; and playing a soothing lullabye on the lap-harp.

In the congregation where hubby and I attend, there have been nine babies born over the last few months. Therefore, the congregation has a Biblical Parenting class to help new parents (and “old” parents) alike. So, as hubby and I have been thinking more and more about how we’d like things to be, now that the “dust has settled” and the adoption isn’t such a “new” thing, we’ve added a joint ritual where we travel to each child’s room together to say goodnight.

It soothes the children. It gives us an opportunity to tuck each child in. It’s nice for us to present a united front, and it reassures the children of our love and concern, in addition to reassuring them of our “togetherness.”

When the children first came, it was crazy and chaotic. But now, as time has passed and we have a handle on things, it’s been an enjoyable thing to have these little rituals for our children, and for ourselves.

Before the kids got here, I talked a lot about “Couple Time” and we do have some of that (though probably not nearly as much as some), and we spend time as a couple doing our Biblical Parenting class “homework” together, and talking more and more about what we’d like to do. The more we talk, the more we are able to prioritize and make that a reality, and it’s been great - for us, and for the children, as the things we talk about begin to come to fruition.

The effect on the kids has been noticeable too, because they can articulate “what comes next” in the nightly ritual. It’s had a great effect on calming them all down - my daughter, in particular, who has suffered in recent past from great bouts of insomnia.

I love rituals, and I love the memories we are making!

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