Creating A Positive Bedtime Routine

From the moment we become a parent, it becomes clear that one thing will never be the same: sleep!  Getting everyone to sleep in an orderly, calm and peaceful fashion can seem very challenging!    There are ways however, to make bedtime a time that children and parents can look forward to and enjoy, rather than fight and resist with a power struggle.  Starting a bedtime routine before the kids are too tired is really important.  It can prevent tantrums and negativity from  starting all together!   Starting an hour before bedtime is helpful because it gives kids enough time after being in pajamas to still play and finish up their  activities  before they are too tired and have a harder time listening. 

Bath time

Having the same routine every night is a great way to help children prepare their bodies for sleep.   Starting  bedtime routine with a bath  has a calming effect and can also be a good time to connect.  It can be a good time for children to talk about their day,  while having fun in a relaxed way.  One idea to make bath time fun is to play tick tack toe and "guess what,"  where one child makes a picture and the other has to guess what it is with bath markers.  A bath can be replaced with another calming activity like drawing together, or sitting on the couch and reading a story if it is too challenging to give every night.

Brushing teeth

One way of making brushing teeth time fun can be to pretend that  mommy is the dentist:)    Counting each others teeth and seeing how wide each of you can open your mouth is fun for kids.   Singing the ABC's or a favorite song  can also help a resistant child be more willing to cooperate while getting their teeth brushed.

Getting Dressed

If a child has a hard time with putting on pj's,  playing the hockey poky is one way to make it fun!  When  all the kids need to get on pajamas at the same time, having a "pajama party"  can make it exciting! Each child can bring their pajamas into one room and play the hockey poky! ("you put your right hand in, you put your left hand in etc...)  

Bedtime Reminders

Being stopped abruptly while  doing something, can be frustrating for kids.   They like to have extra time to prepare for their activity to end.  Giving children a ten minute countdown (ten minutes, then five minutes then one minute) can help them have time to think of ending/putting away what they are doing.  It can also be a time to take a drink, eat a quick snack (if brushing teeth comes after).

Heading To Bed

Keeping in mind that we want to keep bedtime a positive experience, can help us choose positive words when it is time to get our children to bed.  Focusing on the fact that it will be time to spend together to catch up on our day, or make pictures for a few minutes on each others backs for example,  gets  kids eager to hop into bed!  Having a few minutes  of quality time in bed with our children at bedtime can help make it a time that they look forward to! 

Some children are afraid of the dark.  Others have a hard time falling asleep and get frustrated by it!   Giving them ideas of what to think about can help them ease into sleep because their mind is off of "falling asleep"  and thinking of something calm and happy. For example, thinking about a fun trip the family took and the different things they enjoyed on the trip.  Sometimes, just by them choosing something to think about, can motivate them to stay in bed and help them fall asleep faster.  

If Bedtime is a time when a parent can be there for a while to cuddle and talk with their child, the child will have a happier, safer feeling inside and will be less likely to act up.  If a parent is short on time, even just holding them for a few moments and saying some positive words can help a child feel happy and more willing to cooperate!