Just go to bed!

Why is it 9pm and I am still getting up and down trying to get the kids into bed? I suppose I should look on the bright side and think of it as an extra cardio workout, but it's the end of the day and I'm finished looking on the bright side. I am looking for the quiet side.

My two year old hates going to bed. She needs to go potty (again and again and again). She needs to tell me something. She needs another hug (what kind of a mean mother denies a child a hug?). She needs a kiss. She wants to snuggle. She wants to tattle. What about what I want? A child who gets in her bed, turns over, and goes to sleep? Not tonight. Not last night, nor the night before. I carefully crafted the bedtime routine, I gave her time to unwind. I don't yell the first few times, I give her hugs, I give her kisses, I let her go potty, I snuggle. Then I put her in bed without saying anything, over and over and over. Finally, my patience has run out. I yell and put her in bed, but I still give her a hug and another kiss to reassure her that even though I'm out of patience, I'm never out of love. And still the battle continues. She's spitting, she's kicking the wall, she's taunting me to come give her a spank, and as much as I wish a quick spank to her rump would end this torture, I know better... she will continue to taunt me and I will only feel worse for letting her get the best of me.

I just took away the nightlight (but left the door open so the light streams into her room). She's singing, she's talking to her doll, she's fussing with her blankets. She's contemplating the price of coming to visit me one more time. If only there was an off switch. She's back, with her sister, and both are asking for a drink. At least she's polite about it and says "thank you for that drink, mom... it was soooo good." Her charm saves her every time.