The boys are old enough to put themselves to bed. They’d prefer to do other things. Like yelling or legos or dance-offs or wrestling. So I bribe them.

Who knew that 2 quarters could be magical? And yet that’s all it took to PRESTO CHANGO my world REAL FAST. The typical bedtime drama disappeared! Gone was the fussin’ and fightin’ and delay tactics that typically made up our nightly routine.

The price point

50 cents can add up quick. I probably should have started lower, offering them 2 nickels per night. That’s motivating, too, right?

Plus, it could’ve been a great conversation starter with the grandparents: Mimi, you used to buy a whole apple pie with just a nickle?

Since ten cents won’t buy much these days, I decided to go all in with the quarters.

Y’all, they have the potential to earn ONE-HUNDRED, EIGHTY-TWO DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS annually. They could buy me a pair of those ON cloud shoes or pool their funds together and buy a nintendo switch.

Let’s be realistic. They are going to cajole me into taking them to 5 Below every other week to buy toys that will only last until the next trip to 5 Below.

Those cheapo toys are worth it! They symbolize drama-free nights and blissfully calm evenings.

The no-drama bedtime rules

In order to earn two quarters each night, my kiddos must agree to the following rules:
1. No screaming.
2. No fighting.
3. No complaining.
4. No whining.
5. No pulling anyone else’s hair.

They must, instead, do the following:
1. Brush teeth.
2. Wash face.
3. Put on jammies.
4. Toss school clothes into the hamper.
5. Read a book for 20 minutes.

I get peace. They get money. I get quiet. They get literature. I get free time. They get sleep.

And best of all, they get to learn that they are responsible young men with the power of choice. For 2 measly quarters, choice looms large: nightly chaos or the riches that abound when momma is happy in the evenings.

How are you enticing your kids to get through the evening bedtime routine without drama? Comment below or on Facebook at MothersRest.

Photo credit: Ekaterina Bolovtsova from Pexels

EDITOR’S NOTE

I’m so honored to share that the lifestyle journalist, Melissa Rayworth, interviewed me on this topic for her recent article making its way across the AP news wires,
The return of schedules: How parents can make the most of back-to-school energy