The world without bedtime ...

A while back we decided the whole idea of parent imposed bedtime was not working in our house. There was a lot of yelling, threatening and stuff that simply did not mesh with our day time parenting approach. I am amazed since we made the shift, by the sheer volume of exciting activities that arrive in the time that used to be "bedtime". We knew we were on the right track when for the first time in his life Mitchel said "I'm tired, let's go to bed." Evidence that indeed children can listen to their bodies just as well as the rest of us ... or that they haven't learned to ignore those important cues (food for more thought).

Here are a few of the things that have occurred after dark in our home. Makinley took his training wheels off and went on his first solo bike ride! Now that was quite an feet in the twilight of a busy day.


















Fires in the fire pit have become a huge part of our lives. Mitchel knows how to light the fire on this own. Not only the lighting part, the chopping kindling, building part as well. Often I am finishing up inside when I hear the crackle of the fire and know it is time to find the marshmellows.














































We have also painted skateboards, rid fruit trees of pesky critters, made music, danced, watched movies, gone on long bikes rides, laughed and truly enjoyed our freedom from the clock.