In too many families, bedtime has become fight time.
Kids try every trick and negotiation they can think of to stay out of bed.
Parents use promises, threats, and sometimes even violence to get kids to go to bed.
Is all this fighting necessary? Bedtime does not have to be the worst time of day for your family.
A big part ending the bedtime wars is simply setting a bedtime routine.
Routines are simply rituals that we establish to give kids a sense that there is order in their world.
Kids need and want boundaries in their lives.
Without boundaries, kids feel like their world is out of control.
There are two essential parts to setting up an effective bedtime routine.
The first, which we covered in a previous article, is to make sure that the child's sleeping environment is tranquil and soothing.
In this article, we'll talk about the second essential element of bedtime routines: getting your child ready for sleep.
When preparing your kids for sleep, you should be clear about what you want, from yourself and your kids.
Here are three ideas that will help you end the battle over bedtime:
They have a lot of energy, and they don't want to miss anything that might happen while they are asleep.
The key to ending the bedtime wars is consistency.
Set a routine.
Stick to it, even though your kids are not happy about it at first.
The principles we talked about will work, and you can restore peace to your children's bedtime.
Kids try every trick and negotiation they can think of to stay out of bed.
Parents use promises, threats, and sometimes even violence to get kids to go to bed.
Is all this fighting necessary? Bedtime does not have to be the worst time of day for your family.
A big part ending the bedtime wars is simply setting a bedtime routine.
Routines are simply rituals that we establish to give kids a sense that there is order in their world.
Kids need and want boundaries in their lives.
Without boundaries, kids feel like their world is out of control.
There are two essential parts to setting up an effective bedtime routine.
The first, which we covered in a previous article, is to make sure that the child's sleeping environment is tranquil and soothing.
In this article, we'll talk about the second essential element of bedtime routines: getting your child ready for sleep.
When preparing your kids for sleep, you should be clear about what you want, from yourself and your kids.
Here are three ideas that will help you end the battle over bedtime:
- Makeyour expectations clear to your kids.
Long before bedtime, when no one is upset, meet with yourkids.
Let them know what they needto do when it's time to go to sleep.
Go step by step through the bedtime routine.
Also, let them help you set upconsequences that will occur if they break the routine.
(They can also help set up rewards forfollowing the routine.
) - Makesure they get plenty of exercise.
Many times, kids don't go to bed easily because they aren'ttired.
Today's obsession with TV,video games and the internet means kids are less active than in previousgenerations.
Experts saygrade-school kids need about 30 minutes per day of moderate exercise.
So get those kids moving! Tired kids go to sleep more easily. - Letthem ease into bedtime.
The lasthalf hour before bedtime should be relaxing for kids.
They need the chance to wind down aftera busy day (just like adults do).
Take that time to read with your kids, or play a quiet game.
Even a few minutes of TV is good, aslong as it's something soothing.
Whatever relaxing activity you choose, be involved in ityourself.
Make this a time thewhole family relaxes together.
They have a lot of energy, and they don't want to miss anything that might happen while they are asleep.
The key to ending the bedtime wars is consistency.
Set a routine.
Stick to it, even though your kids are not happy about it at first.
The principles we talked about will work, and you can restore peace to your children's bedtime.
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