How do you not laugh?

[Italiamom]

One thing that I love about DS, is that he's quite the ham.  But I've been running into some issues, especially at night, with him being silly while I'm trying to set boundaries.  He's silly, I can't help but laugh, and then of course he just runs with it.  It's especially happening at night, where sleepy time is becoming comic time.  We'll be laying down, trying to have quiet time before bed, but it sort of hits a reset button when mama starts laughing.  I've of course tried saying, "it isn't play time, we need to close our eyes and lie still" but at that point the damage is done.

I know it is like anything else, where I shouldn't be engaging.  You shouldn't engage with anger, and engaging with laughter just creates problems.  But he's so funny!  How do you not laugh in situations like these?  I don't exactly want to be lying in bed with DS thinking of the saddest things possible, but is that what it takes?

[crunchy_mommy]

LOL... he sounds like a cute kid.

What about if you try to get him to make you laugh a little earlier in the evening? An hour or two before bed or something -- "Hey let's see how hard you can make Mommy laugh!!" Then maybe he'll get it out of his system a bit?

[giraffee]

When my DD starts being silly in bed I usually offer her a hug and kiss (affection helps you not laugh) and say softly that we need to rest now. I usually read her poetry, so she asks for a book and settles to nurse. However, if the giggles start when it's naptime - it basically means that there will be no nap that day :)

[MusicianDad]

I laugh, I tell him he's being funny, then I tell him funny time is over and sleepy time has begun! It works for DS, but he tends to take specifically labelled times seriously.