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Joy Club: Our Favorite Bedtime Ritual

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The house is finally quiet. Teeth are brushed, pajamas are on, and we gather for one last moment together before sleep. It's time for Joy Club.

What is Joy Club?

Joy Club is our family's bedtime ritual where we take a moment to spark joy. It's simple, quick, and has become one of the most anticipated parts of our day.

Before we pray and tuck everyone in, we pause. We share. We delight together.

How It Works

Each person shares something that brought them joy that day. It doesn't have to be big or profound:

  • "I loved when we played tag in the backyard"
  • "My friend shared her crackers with me at lunch"
  • "The sunset was really pretty tonight"
  • "I figured out that hard math problem"

The littlest ones might just say "ice cream!" or "Daddy tickled me!" And that's perfect.

Why Joy Club Matters

In a world that constantly draws our attention to what's wrong, Joy Club trains our hearts to notice what's right. It teaches our children to:

  • Practice gratitude - Looking back on the day with thankful eyes
  • Savor moments - Learning that joy is often found in small things
  • Share vulnerability - Opening up about what matters to them
  • End well - Going to sleep with good thoughts rather than worries

The Theology of Joy

Joy isn't just a nice feeling - it's a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). When we practice noticing joy, we're training ourselves to see God's goodness scattered throughout our days.

The Psalmist wrote, "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). Joy Club is our way of living that out, of deliberately rejoicing in what God has given us today.

Starting Your Own Joy Club

You don't need anything fancy:

  1. Pick a consistent time (we do it right before bedtime prayers)
  2. Go around and let everyone share one thing
  3. Listen without judgment - all joys are valid
  4. Keep it light and brief (5 minutes max)

Some nights everyone is chatty. Some nights the kids are exhausted and give one-word answers. That's okay. The consistency matters more than the depth.

Resources That Inspired Us

Our Joy Club practice was deeply influenced by the "Joy-Filled" series by Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey. These books offer brain science-backed insights into building joy in our families and relationships:

These books helped us understand that joy isn't just a feeling - it's something we can practice and build into our daily rhythms. The revelation that families exist primarily to build joy has transformed how we approach parenting.

The Ripple Effect

We've noticed something beautiful: our kids are starting to collect joys throughout the day. "Mom, I'm saving this for Joy Club!" they'll say when something delightful happens.

They're learning to be joy-collectors. And honestly? So are we.

Know God. Love God. Serve God.

When we gather for Joy Club, we're learning to know God through His gifts, love God through gratitude, and serve God by training our hearts in gladness. It's a small practice with eternal significance.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What are your family's favorite bedtime rituals? How do you end the day together?