Bedtime Bribes

We have two children who just hate to go to bed. Once they are in bed they are down for the count but convincing them to stay in bed is another story. With summer time here the whole it is getting dark out theory is out the window. Last night a prime example. After Zach finally decided swimming in the pool is fun when I told him time to hit the bathtub and then PJ time at 8:20 Pm he turned around looked at the sun still shining and stated but mom it is still daytime we dont go to be during the day and proceeded to jump into the pool.( Life jacket on!) Ok so we have been working on getting them to go to bed and stay in bed. I have finally found a bride that works! YEAH! we have created a sticker chart. Each night they go to bed reasonably well ( for us that means only getting out of bed 4 or 5 times to ask for something) they get a sticker. The other night. Zach was on his last time out of bed. Hubby eloquently stood by his bed and told him that his sister has gone to bed and is getting a sticker. If he does not stay in bed no sticker for him and she will have more stickers than him. Let me tell this did the trick. Peer pressure worked perfectly! He went to bed and Hubby was all smiles as he told me what he said. I only hope that our little plan that we have hatched continues to work. If all else fails we will swim till 9:00 Pm until they are so exhausted they will fall into bed. When winter comes that will be another story!