Lily was a little girl who loved to play! She loved building towers with her blocks, drawing colorful pictures, and zooming her toy cars across the floor. But sometimes, when it was time for bed, Lily didn’t want to stop playing. She’d wiggle and giggle and ask for ‘just one more minute!’
Her mama would smile and say, “Lily-bug, even the brightest stars need to rest. A good night’s sleep helps you shine even brighter tomorrow!” But Lily still found it hard to slow down. Her thoughts would race like her little cars, making it difficult to feel sleepy.
One evening, Mama started a special bedtime routine. First, they had a warm bath with bubbly soap that smelled like lavender. Then, they put on Lily’s softest pajamas, the ones with the little sheep all over them. Next, they read a story about a friendly firefly who loved to twinkle.
After the story, Mama dimmed the lights and turned on a little nightlight shaped like a moon. She sat with Lily and they practiced ‘belly breaths’ – taking slow, deep breaths that made Lily’s tummy rise and fall like a gentle wave. “Imagine you’re filling your tummy with sleepy air,” Mama whispered.
Lily closed her eyes and tried it. At first, her thoughts still zoomed around, thinking about all the fun she’d had that day. But with each slow breath, she felt a little calmer. She imagined the sleepy air washing away all her wiggles and giggles.
Mama then gave Lily a special hug and a kiss on the forehead. “Think of three happy things that happened today,” Mama suggested. Lily thought for a moment. “I built a really tall tower! I drew a rainbow! And I had a yummy snack!”
As Lily focused on those happy thoughts, she felt a cozy warmth spread through her. Her eyelids felt heavy, and her breathing became slow and steady. She snuggled into her pillow, feeling safe and loved.
Mama quietly left the room, leaving the moon nightlight to watch over Lily. Soon, Lily was fast asleep, dreaming of twinkling fireflies, colorful rainbows, and tall, wobbly towers. She learned that a calm bedtime routine wasn’t about *stopping* the fun, but about preparing for sweet dreams and a bright new day.
From that night on, Lily looked forward to her bedtime routine. She knew that even though playing was wonderful, a peaceful night’s sleep was the best way to recharge her sparkle and get ready for another day full of adventures. And every night, she remembered to take her belly breaths and think of three happy things.