WFMF - Ten Minute Tuck

"The beginning and the end of the performance is what your audience is going to remember the most." is what my performing arts teacher used to tell us day after day when I was in a performance group in high school. She stressed that we try our bests at ALL times, but specifically that we make a good first and last impression in all areas of our lives.

When I had children, I quickly realized that I couldn't be "on" as a Mom 24 hours a day. Who am I kidding? That reality hit before I left the hospital. Ha! However, like all moms, it is my job to be a mom 24 hours, 7 days a week, but it is impossible to be 100% all the time.

I decided that I wanted the last thing my boys to feel before they went to sleep was loved and secure. So we started the "Ten Minute Tuck". After the boys have had their baths, brushed their teeth, and we have said prayers the boys head to their rooms. Hubs and I take turns spending ten minutes with each of our sons and then we switch. Our sons set the agenda for the time we spend with them.

What goes on during the "Ten Minute Tuck"?

1. Music - Right now Little Guy is really into listening to our radio station's Hot List so he loves to lay in bed and chat and talk about what music is being featured and trying decide what music would be on his Hot List.

2. Stories - The boys love to hear stories about when we were growing up or even when they were younger.

3. Tapes/CD's - We just finished a phase of listening to various books on CD and the "Adventures in Odyssey" series.

4. Lots of laughing - The boys love to entertain us with jokes and stories of what has gone on during the day.

5. Hugs and cuddles - My boys are getting older... I'll use any excuse I can get to get my hugs!

6. LISTENING - We try to not talk as much as possible. We try to let the boys set the tone for the ten minutes. It is their time.

7. No lectures - This time is not for discipline or correction. It is an absolutely safe time where the boys can express themselves, be themselves and have our undivided attention.

There are definitely nights when I am exhausted from a full day and I am so ready to just get the boys to bed so I can go get my shower and hit the bed myself. However, no matter how our days are - busy and crazy, fun and full --I feel like I have accomplished something as their Mom if I have been able to tuck them safely into bed and spent that time really listening.