I look forward to putting Caitlin to bed. As it is an expected routine for her now, she seldom fights it when I suggest it’s bedtime. Sometimes she is the one suggesting that it is bedtime herself, which to me is a wonder because sometimes it is when her favourite TV show is playing.
[Culturally, we put our kiddies to bed & share the bedroom, unlike other cultures where the kiddies have a room of their own]
We’d lie in my bed in the dark, pacifier-ed & mini pillow & bolster clutched in each hand. We would actually “catch up” on her day’s events- what she did during the day; & if I’d manage to bring her somewhere after work, recap our activities together (“Caitlin fed the turtles at the park today- did you like it?” or “So what did you & Grannee buy from Tesco today? Did you get some milk & bread? What else did Grannee get? Were you the one pushing the trolley?”)
It is also during this time that Caitlin is the least cheeky. I don’t mind cheeky, but here she is very conversational, contemplative, receptive.
It is also the time when only words are used to communicate in the almost-dark bedroom, where wit & descriptive communication is exercised. It is also a channel where I believe she would be the most open, like she did when she shared the concept of death & her concerns with me.
Comparatively, I believe this to be why Caitlin is closer to me than with her Mummee.
In my previous post I had mentioned that after school I had used to chat with my own mum, about mostly anything. Till today all her kids still catch up with her whenever we can. I believe this “value” or practice was inculcated since our development years, & it is certainly something I would like emulated for the next generation with my own kids.

