There's a dragon in my room!

I love the kiddies' bedtime, and not just because of the peace that follows!  In this house the routine gives me a chance to relax, and spend a bit of time with each child in turn.  Smiley goes to bed first, even though she's 13 now, and she usually gets really excited, it's like she's saying:

"Mum, you finally got the message:  I'm tired!" 

At 17, Angel often stays up later than me, but still likes me to go in to her to say good night.  And those midnight conversations are often the only time that she actually tells me what is on her mind.  I miss my little girl, but I'm glad that she still needs me now that she's all grown up :)

But it's CD's bedtime that I really look forward to.  He manages most of the routine stuff himself, but does need a gentle reminder every now and then, as he often gets distracted.  So I hover nearby, trying to look busy.  Just before lights out I read a chapter from his latest book.  But before that, we would often be chatting.  About his latest game, interest or something worrying him at school. He has an amazing vocabulary, but does need help in how to use it appropriately: it's a key problem for kids with Aspergers as outlined here.  But sometimes we do pretty well. At the moment CD is obsessed with bugs and dragons, and last night he managed a conversation that combined the two:

"Muuum!"

"Yes, son."

"There's a dragon in my room."


"A dragon!"

"I meant a dragonfly."

"That's unlikely.  They live in ponds."

"Would it have laid some eggs in my room?"

"No, cos there are no dragonflies in your room."

"Are dragonflies really baby dragons that are learning to fly?"

"Wow, that's a really interesting idea...."

Don't you just love those bedtime conversations?