Alternative to bedtime prayers

[Thaimoon]

I grew up in a catholic family and when I was a kid we used to say prayers before bedtime.

Although I am no longer practicing any religion, I still enjoy the habit of prayer before I sleep as it gives me a chance to think of others and put life into perspective after days with two little children which can make me so busy and wrapped up in my own life.

I'd like to teach my dd who is 3.5, some similar habits so she has an opportunity to reflect on her day, share worries and/or think of others.

I know she is quite little still so I was looking for an age appropriate approach to this that people might use if they are not religious? We don't go to church and haven't had discussions about god with her, and whilst she may learn about that later, for now I'm looking for a non religious idea.

Thanks in advance!

Can you ask what made her happy during the day? And as she grows up, start discussing being grateful for that.

I've adapted a Buddhist meditation of loving kindness for my children. It's repetitive and relaxing. I think it also builds compassion. They both ask for it.

A little bedtime ritual I developed with my DD when she was about two was to say to her 'Let's talk about friends'. We would lie face to face on a sheepskin rug on the floor in her bedroom and spend about 10 minutes talking about people who were important in her life - family, adults at nursery, friends of her own age and friends of the family. Before long, she would say to me 'Let's talk about friends', reassuring me she enjoyed our conversations. It did have the feel of prayer and, I hope, helped her value herself and others.

We have a little conversation that goes like this:

Me: I love you!
DS: I love you too!
Me: Who else do we love? What else do we love?

Seems to prompt lots of conversations with lovely warm snuggly feelings.

Every night I lie in bed with my 3 year old and we talk about 3 things we’ve been grateful for that day. Obviously she’s three so hers are a bit silly sometimes and she usually just says what she can see at that moment but I fill in the blanks for her eg…” I'm grateful for my bookshelf” me: “oh thats a good one yes we are so lucky to have book shelf’s full of wonderful books to read, books are so much fun and we learn so much from them…” that kind of thing.

I think it’s a nice bonding 10 minutes and it teaches gratitude in a child friendly way.

Our daughter picked up a light up wish jar at an event. Every night we light it and she makes a wish. Similar to a prayer it gets her to reflect on what has happened and what might be coming up.

You can still count your blessings and hope good things for others without including God.

We do "thank yous" which is perfect for this.

Each take it in turns to say thank you for something. I try to model using something specific from my day but DC tends to repeat thank you for mummy / daddy / lovely bedroom etc but that's fine.

When they're older I also started to add in "tell me about something you did for someone else today" to focus on good deeds / being less selfish etc.

These are so lovely! Thank you so much!