Why bedtime gets tense
Brains process the day as we slow down. Unfinished feelings pop up. Quick fixes prolong bedtime; brief validation shortens it.
The one-minute flow
Ask one: 'Glow? Grow? Gratitude?' Mirror one sentence back. End with: 'Anything you want me to remember for tomorrow?'
Track small signals
Use Mom&Dad Tracker to mark 'bedtime reflection'. Notice patterns: topics, timing, and faster sleep onset across the week.
When it works
Kids fall asleep more settled, bring up tricky moments sooner the next day, and request the ritual themselves.