Out of Bed Passes

This is the first night I've been able to sit down at the computer for a long time! I've been living and breathing soccer this week. Both Jackson and Brady are playing this season, so I'm shuffling them back and forth to practices. Add that to our already crazy schedule... I'm sure most of you know exactly what I'm talking about.

One of the issues we have encountered coming off of summer and back into the school year is that the boys don't want to stay in their bedroom when it's time for bed. I had to come up with something, because they need their sleep, and Ryan and I need a break!

One of the benefits of working at a place with behavioral therapists are the ideas they can give you to help with certain situations. One suggested using passes. She said you determine about how many times they come out and then make about that many passes. As time passes, you start eliminating the passes until you get them adjusted to staying in bed.

Ryan is now coaching football, so I'm at home alone most nights to do the bedtime routine. I decided to make these passes to see if it would work. They've worked like a charm! 

Jackson is a rule follower, so he doesn't even like to use any. That one was easy! It's Brady that's the challenge. I started with three passes, and he uses them every night, but he also stops coming out after the third one. It's really funny, because he comes out prepared and just hands the pass over before he even starts talking!

I've also thought about using this method for tv time, but I haven't tried it yet. Maybe give them a certain number of passes for shows. I'll let you know if I do it!

What other ideas can you think of using passes to help?