For the past year or so, especially since COVID-19, Kate and I followed a well-established after-dinner routine. I watched the evening news while she worked on her iPad. She gradually lost her ability to work her puzzles. That left a void that I tried to fill by watching less of the news and turning on YouTube videos of musical performances for her. She often liked to go to the bathroom, put on her night clothes before getting in bed to watch the videos.
Over the past week, she has balked on brushing her teeth, going to the bathroom, and getting ready for bed. The first time this happened I pushed her too far, and she let me know it. I needed to try a different approach. Past experience taught me that she often accepts things she doesn’t want to do if given a little time. On subsequent nights, I let her postpone these things until near the time for me to get in bed. That worked but I still had to push a little. Night before last I tried something else.
First, I asked if she wanted to get ready for bed. She didn’t. I told her that was fine and that I was going to take a shower. I hoped that she would be ready after that, but I found that she was already in bed wearing the clothes she had worn all day. I asked if she wanted to use the bathroom and put on her night gown. She said she would do it later.
I waited another ten minutes or so and tried again with similar results. Her resistance was increasing. It seemed like a good time for the “Rabbit,” The Velveteen Rabbit, that is. It has been helpful before, but each time I use it I feel I may be pressing my luck. I brought the book to the bedroom, got in bed and told Kate I was going to read something to her.
It often takes a while for her to become interested. That night she was fully engaged all the way through. When I finished, I said, “Isn’t that a nice story?” She sighed and agreed. Her mood had changed completely.
I thanked her for letting me read to her. She said, “I liked it.” Then I told her I needed to get ready for bed and asked if she would like to as well. She said, “Yes.” I helped her up and to the bathroom. She was cooperative as I helped her get out of her clothes and into her gown. The battle was over. It was a much better way to gain her cooperation than pushing her.
Last night she was also resistant. I gave her plenty of time and got her to bed without a problem; however, when I was about to go to bed, she had a delusion that involved other people in our house and disturbed her. Again, I brought The Velveteen Rabbit to bed and read it. She forgot all about her worries and fell asleep before I finished.
