"I can endure anything if I only can sleep,"my Mom used to say.
"There's a lot of healing in a good night's sleep," went another of her sayings.
In spite of that, we are a family where the females are affected by insomnia.
"Never think going to bed with cold feet", was rule # 1.
Hot water bottle, electric mattress heater, or even better; a soft adjustable electric blanket makes the bed inviting.
That is definitely a must. The bed must be a relaxing, welcoming place to be. Soft pillows, a thick feather duvet, a bottle of water, reading glasses and a pile of good books. For harsh nights I have added my own remedy; Astrid Lindgren's videos. They mellow my mind and focus thoughts on happy memories.
My parents would also ALWAYS read one or two prayers and a homemade one, summing up the day and place it all in the hands of the Lord.
They had a book from which they read one or two chapters before we went to sleep.We got to choose the books.
In Norway in the early fifties there was housing shortage. That meant that we had tenants living upstairs like everyone else in the valley.
That was a good thing to me. I shared bedroom with my brother till I was 7, and we really had a good time singing, guessing riddles and making noice in general before falling to sleep.
People need people. I've always pitied babies being placed in a room of their own. Especially when the parents are telling not to go and look after when a baby cry." He's just being difficult, wanting to get up".
Goodness, gracious me, little children are not monsters. If they cry, they have needs, and should not be taught, that crying doesn't help.
My Mother taught me that. She practiced learning by doing.
Good routines before bedtime are a must both for adults and children.
No TV or homework the last hour before bedtime. A light meal with a mug of hot chocolate or milk & honey to drink.
Tidying up, folding the day away, half an hour on the bath, circling down to the bed.
Then the songs, the lullabies.
Funny thing is, in Norway many choose on of the famliar lullabies for funerals too. They are so comforting.
This was one of my mother's favorite bed time songs.
8 comments:
I love the idea of cozy, knit socks to help a person sleep. Of course I would say that, being a knitter myself. I agree about crying babies - they cry to let us know they need something. It's so interesting about the lullabies being used for funerals too. But really it does make sense. This post made me realise I have no bedtime routine - I need to change that!
I am enjoying your special posts recalling your heritage and honoring Monten. Makes me nostalgiac too. The bed time description is so good, warmth in the middle of the cold winter. Mother was always busy with her hands, my Mama was a busy knitter too
Oh my! I am really enjoying reading about your mom and her routines and gifts of wisdom for living. A warm and inviting bed, a slowing routine, prayers and lullabies....how delightful your childhood must have been.
Yes, I was lucky to have devoted and conscious parents.
I remember vaguely I for a short time was afraid to go to sleep. Must have overheard news about the cold war or similar, because I know I was afraid of a war might break out.
Not only was I calmed down by my parents talking soothingly to me, but they let my have a small light on and the door open to the hallway. I remember the opening getting narrower day by day and the light gradually dimmer until I after month or so was able to sleep safely in the dark as I used to.
I hope I have been able to pass these routines on.
I remember telling Gunnar, he was not allowed to put Serina to bed, if he didn't sing , read and pray with her.
I also remember an offended toddler coming with her empty baby bottle complaining, "Dad's asleep."
Poor teacher Dad, he had an exhausting job.
Ha .. love the comment about Gunnar falling asleep and toddler tattling ;) Warm feet are a must for sleep. A little dish of dried lavender flowers next to the bed offer better rest. Your mom's sayings and your parents routines are wise .. carry on in a rich tradition. Thanks for sharing.
hi felisol..my eyes are so full of tears as i read this and look at your beautiful mother and beautiful you...you are a joy to my heart!
"he giveth his beloved sleep.'
i feel so blessed that mother ljung made me a pair of warm stockings..
I just love reading this series of posts you have written, dear Felisol. A beautiful way to process our grief is to keep the beautiful memories warm in our hearts. And your mother was a fantastic woman. She has taught you well.
My husband and I had a huge mattress on our bedroom floor where our three children slept until they were ready to go sleep in their own bedrooms. Bedtime when they were little always included singing, bedtime Bible stories, prayers, cuddling... all so beautiful. We would "play" musical beds all the time. Meaning, middle of the night we would find them climbing up on our bed, one by one, so Ernie and I would transfer to the empty bed on the floor... morning comes, and all five of us wake up, on the same mattress. It was always fun for us, never a matter to fret over or argue about. When you baby a baby when he is a baby, you will not have to baby him all his life!
Much love to you... enjoyed this post so much.
Love
Lidia
Beautiful post with wisdom from your beautiful mother. Love that beautiful red building in the next post!
Love & Prayers
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