My best mom advice

I was asked today what my best piece of mom advice would be.
Considering my kids are perfectly behaved, I figured just about anything I had to say would be a GREAT piece of advice.

I thought on it for a second--thinking I'd have some perfect solution to getting a newborn to sleep or a toddler to nap.

My answer was "Never start a routine you don't intend to keep forever".

The new mama looked at me like I was a little crazy (she must have been expecting the perfect solution to diaper rash). I explained....

"When my daughter was little (and the first born), our bedtime routine included 5 books, lots of snuggling and kisses, talking, counting, singing and double kisses/hugs. Not that it wasn't precious time that I enjoyed....but it took about 45 minutes-sometimes, over an hour. When my son was born, he was rocked for 10 minutes, given a hug and into bed he went. By the time my 2nd son was born, it was a kiss, hug and bed. I didn't realize the 45 minute bedtime routine would carry into her 5th year of life---and she can't go to bed without it.
As much I love it, there are 2 other small people that need me at bedtime and a bunch of other things that need to be done. I wish I would have scaled it back as she got older so that her transition to bed would be easier."

If you have a routine that works for you, keep it. Bedtime is one of the best times of the day. For us, 5-7 minutes for each kid is the goal!