By Glenn A. Hascall 
If your household is anything like mine, then you know that bedtime can be a time of elongated procrastination. Children have a great tendency to stretch things out as long as possible. They may have important questions that require both research and a variety of doctorate degrees. They have a bladder conflict, first it needs to be filled then it needs relief. This conflict can leave a parent exasperated.
One thing that we do in our family is to provide one meaningful event at bedtime. This event is contingent on a regular bedtime devoid of procrastinating tendencies. If they want to procrastinate, the event goes way the next night.
For our family, the event is storytelling. I am commissioned on a nightly basis to provide stories of daring and heroic deeds complete with happy ending or it might be a real story based on the life of one of my children, my wife, myself or other extended family members. The story is repeated only upon request, so my children know that every night will provide a new adventure.
One of the techniques I use when the creative tank is on empty is to invite my children to join me in the creative journey. I simply name a character that I know they like and let them fill in the blank about details that change the plot or setting.
It goes something like this…
Me: Once upon a time the Star Cruiser Commodore flew all the way to ___________
Son: Taco Bell.
Me: Where Captain Clyde purchased _____________
Son: A soda.
Me: Which he decided was too ______________
Son: fluffy.
Me: Which was OK since he knew he was flying through the clouds.
The idea is that this type of story is easy to direct for the parent and fun (and funny) for the child who will invariably attempt to hijack the story as it boldly goes where no man has gone before.
My son often cracks himself up trying to come up with unique places and settings and insisting the character do unusual things mere mortals can't do. The benefit for me is that the storytime is still a primary part of the evening routine, but my children get to use their imaginations in ways that amuse everyone within ear shot.
You don't have to be the best storyteller in the world, just the one your child wants to hear stories from most. Choose a story that is familiar and retell it. With a little practice your child won't want to hear stories from anyone else.
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