Trying to get the kids in bed, making them stay in bed, and finally getting them to sleep can be the most stressful part of a parent’s day. When it’s time for bed, the kids are hungry and thirsty, need a Band-aid for boo boos that miraculously appear on every limb, need a backrub, remember a school assignment they forgot… At their wit’s end, parents bribe, beg, and plead with their kids to go to sleep. Some lie down with their kids or sit by the door until their children go to sleep. What can be a special, peaceful time for families turns into tears and stressed out parents.
Does this sound like your home? If so, here are a few tips to get the kids to bed on time without a fuss.
Set an Early Bedtime
A child who’s not getting enough sleep is at risk for behavioral, developmental, and emotional problems. Lack of sleep is also associated with childhood obesity.
Don’t let your child determine his bedtime. When a child is overly tired, his body releases the stress hormone cortisol. This makes a child seem “wired.” Strangely, an overly tired child will have a difficult time going sleep, wake up frequently in the night, and wake up too early.
Remember that it’s your responsibility to set your child’s bedtime. A child who pitches a fit at bedtime and can’t settle down needs her bedtime pulled back a half hour earlier or more.
Kids who are ages 1 to 5 need 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night in addition to naps. Kids over age 5 still need at least 10 to 11 hours of sleep at night but probably don’t require a nap.
Once you’ve set a bedtime, keep it the same every day. While this may be tricky on weekends and holidays, bedtime will be a lot easier when children have a consistent sleep and wake time each day.
Any kid will run any errand for you if you ask at bedtime. – Red Skelton
Make a Bedtime Routine
Half an hour to an hour before bedtime, start the transition to sleep. No rough housing, video games, or screens. A predictable nightly routine will help kids prepare for sleep. Your routine could include taking a warm bath, brushing teeth, reading a story, and tucking the kids into bed. The room should be as dark and quiet as possible with no TVs or electronics in the room to distract.
After goodnight kisses, leave your child’s room and let him child fall asleep on his own. This is part of healthy development. A child who doesn’t learn to do this will need a parent to soothe him back to sleep in the night. And in case you didn’t know, you need sleep, too! For kids who need a little extra help, a soft blanket or stuffed animal can comfort your child in your place.
Parents Are In Charge
Kids are good at lots of thing. Manipulating their parents for more attention is one of them. They’ll beg for one more story and one more hug, which can turn into two hours of frustration. However, when parents take charge and are consistent, kids are most comfortable and learn to comply.
The words “good night, stay in bed, and no more talking” aren’t an option. When you leave the room there should be no more eye contact, no more talking, and no more hugs. It seems cruel, but it actually isn’t. So when your little one sneaks out of bed, silently put him back in bed over and over again until he gets the point. It may take a few nights of crying and screaming, but he will learn.
Sweet Dreams
The next time bedtime around tonight and your child acts like she’s never been to sleep before, teach her what the new bedtime is going to look like. Then, go read a book or take a long bath.
