My grandkids fight bedtime with their parents. They fall asleep in minutes for me, and I try not to be smug about it.

I must have inherited my mother’s magic touch for putting kids to sleep. It drives my kids crazy.

While I was visiting my son and daughter-in-law recently, she confided that bedtime had become a nightmare. I offered to give her a break by putting my grandson to bed. I was prepared for a struggle since we were at their house, and he knew his mom was in the next room.

We took him to his room after his bath to put on his PJs and sleep sack. It was already darkened and droning with white noise. After she left the room, I gave him a hug and kiss while softly...