Our family recently went on a spring break holiday. We went on a GetRealLive cruise so it was a work/holiday for me which was fun. (Get ready for news regarding our cruise next year ... you're all invited.) However, reality strikes and today I am back at work and soon the kids will return to school and that means routine returns to our home as I'm sure it will or possibly has to many of yours.For our family, routine means no more jammy-clad, lazy mornings, breakfasts that become brunch - and then lunch. One day rolling into another not really knowing if it's Monday, Tuesday or Thursday and forget the date, during holidays we really turn off. However, soon it will be back to early morning breakfasts and the tying of school neckties before scooting out the door with lunches packed, hair combed and teeth brushed (I hope), all in an effort to reach school before the bell rings.It's pretty tough when the children have become used to a later bedtime, enjoying the relaxed nature where tomorrow and the next day are just another holiday.With this in mind, it has been time to re-introduce bedtimes and prepare the kids for the return of routine. Last night, my eldest had the hardest time going to bed; she tossed and turned and tried her best at counting sheep, and then some.After two hours of failed attempts to capture that elusive rest, frustration found its way into her room, at which point, she found her way into mine!Like many of you, I have struggled on the odd occasion with insomnia. This was one of those times. Funny thing, normally I can fall asleep anywhere, as can my eldest. But last night wasn't our night.So I hatched a plan. I took my beautiful girl by the hand and said, "Don't worry, lovely, I know just the thing to help you."I took her to the couch just off our kitchen, wrapped her in a blanket and prepared a cup of warm milk for her to sip on. I handed her the mug and slipped onto the couch beside her, allowing her to rest and relax into my arms. I sat stroking her hair and whispering "I love you" into her ear. We didn't exchange many words, just a few from me to her in order to comfort her and let her know everything was OK.I've always understood the mystery behind the cup of warm milk and its obvious effects on the human body. But now I've completed an even greater puzzle - a cup of warm milk provided by the comforting arms of a loved one, the stroking of hair and the applying of soft gentle words whispered into an ear, is the perfect panacea for the sleep-deprived. In no time, my eldest daughter was tucked in her bed, dreaming of angels.May I encourage you to keep your ears and eyes open, and know that somewhere along the path, someone in your home will need a cup of warm milk. Don't miss the moment.Susan J [email protected]
