One Last Tuck

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We've lived in a small house for the past eight years. I love it most of the time, but one of the more challenging parts is that three kids share a room.

There are actually a lot of great things about little kids sharing a bedroom. Bedtime stories, teeth brushing, pajamas, and getting ready for bed are all confined to one space. But there is one MAJOR downside: when one kid gets up or needs something, everybody follows along.

Enter: The One Last Tuck Card

I came up with the idea of a One Last Tuck Card as a simple way to encourage my crew to stay in bed instead of asking for water three times, going to the bathroom twice, asking that 100th question, and then requesting one final tuck for good measure.

The idea is really simple.

At bedtime, give your child a One Last Tuck Card. If they really need Mom or Dad one more time, they can turn in their card for one last tuck, kiss, drink of water, or quick bedtime need.

But if they don't use it, they get to keep it.

Kids can save their unused cards and eventually trade them in for a small prize chosen by the parents. It gives them a little extra motivation to practice staying in bed and settling themselves down for the night.

What Can They Earn?

This doesn't need to turn into an expensive reward system. I think simple is better!

Prizes could be things like:

Stickers
Quarters
Mints or a small piece of candy
Picking the next family movie
Choosing dessert
A small prize-bin toy
Staying up a few minutes later on a special night
Anything else inexpensive that motivates your child
A fun or different bedtime snack

You can decide how many cards need to be saved for a reward and what makes sense for your family.

How I Printed & Laminated My One Last Tuck Cards

I wanted these to be easy to print at home, but I also wanted them to hold up to little hands using them night after night.

I printed mine on Desktop Publishing Supplies perforated business card cardstock, which is compatible with the Avery 5371 Business Card Template. The sheets are already perforated into standard 3.5 x 2-inch business cards**, so once they're printed, you can simply separate the cards instead of having to measure and cut every one.

One Last Tuck Cards: A Simple Trick for Smoother Bedtimes photo

I also decided to laminate mine. I used Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches in the business card size. They're slightly larger than a standard business card, giving you enough of a sealed edge around the cardstock.

I ran the cards through my multifunction laminator. A regular laminator should work just fine for this project, but I like having a larger multifunction version around because I can use it for these cards as well as homeschool printables and other projects.

Of course, you don't have to laminate them at all. You can simply print the cards on cardstock, separate them, and start using them. Laminating just gives you a sturdier card that should survive plenty of trips between the nightstand and Mom and Dad.

Here's to (Hopefully!) Easier Bedtimes

The goal isn't a perfectly quiet bedtime every single night. It's simply a fun, concrete way to help little kids practice a little more self-control at bedtime while hopefully saving Mom and Dad from tuck number five.

Best of luck with your One Last Tuck Cards! I hope they bring a little more peace to your bedtime (or naptime!) routine and maybe even help everyone get to sleep a little sooner!