8 Reasons I Let My Girls Run Wild Before Bedtime

8 Reasons I Let My Girls Run Wild Before Bedtime

Almost every kid loves to run around, especially in the house. (It’s like some sort of forbidden fruit-flavored candy.) Or is it that it doesn’t matter where it is, they just want to run and scream like wild ones? Many parents have the rule, No Running in the House. I think I had that rule – for a week or two – but then I realized that it was a losing battle. I decided, instead of fighting it, embrace it. And thus, these are my eight justifications – er, reasons – why I allow my girls to run around the house, especially at night.

1. It builds relationship. My girls love to run around together playing chase, roaming and romping like kitties, or any other myriad of imaginative play ideas they can think of. If I took this bonding time away, I don’t think it would be made up in another fashion.
2. It lets off steam. Especially during the rainy or cold weather seasons, it is essential my girls get their wigglies out before bedtime, or they will struggle to get to sleep. It’s as if they are asking, “What am I resting from?” if they don’t run and play indoors.
3. It keeps them busy. After dinner, Mommy’s got a lot of work to do, like washing dishes, putting away leftovers, preparing for the next day, etc. If I didn’t let them have this crazy play time, then I would end of being the chief entertainment. As enjoyable as that can be, that doesn’t help anything to get done (before midnight, that is).
4. It helps them with their conflict-resolution skills. Oh, things are only rosy for so long before someone gets upset about something. So, here’s yet another opportunity for them to figure out how to solve the problem before one of them decides she’s done playing or Mom puts the brakes on and play time’s over.
5. It makes them tough. “It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.” Well, guess what. It’s going to happen. So, when Mom says, “Oh, are you too hurt to play anymore?” the answer is usually “no” and the wild rumpus begins once again!
6. I live in a ranch-style home. If stairs were involved, I’m pretty sure my laisse-faire attitude would change, but as it is, they’re just running back and forth down a long hallway of a house. So, besides banging into the occasional wall, the falls aren’t too bad.
7. This is not the last activity of the night. I know how important it is for a person’s body to have some calm and relaxation before one is able to sleep. As such, relaxing activities are built into our nighttime routine – warm bath, books, cuddles, etc. That being so, I’m not that worried about the crazy mayhem after dinner since I know that we’ll get them settled before tucking them in for a, hopefully, long night of sleep.
8. Just let them play! I know my husband would appreciate if it were just calm and quiet in our house after a long day at work, but come on, they’re kids. Let them play! Remember when we had energy? It was a long time ago, I know, but let’s not squash our babies’ fun before the responsibilities come.
What are your thoughts? Any tips for me?

Written By: Lisa Liebling