At some point, every parent will face the challenge of a child who won’t settle to sleep. Whether it’s a fear of monsters or the dark, or the sudden need for a drink, hug, story, chat (or any of the other million-and-one reasons a child can think of to stay up a little later!), getting them to settle down is made easier by a good bedtime routine.
When children sleep better, you sleep better and when everyone is properly rested, the household is a more harmonious one, so if you’re struggling to get your kids into a bedtime routine, try some of the following tips:
Winding Down
Kids of any age can become easily excitable and distracted so give them time to relax and get ready for sleep with some wind-down time. Depending on the age of your child, this might mean:
- Swapping any screen-based entertainments like cartoons or games consoles for quiet, focussed activities like puzzles and board games at least an hour before bed.
- Taking time to organise school bags or clothes for the next day.
- Having a bath with lightly scented, relaxing and soothing bubble bath.
- Eating a light supper. Peanut butter on toast, porridge and bananas will fill tummies without giving them bursts of energy that disrupt good sleeping habits.
Having wind-down time helps your child understand that bedtime is approaching so when it arrives, they are mentally and emotionally prepared for it.
Pre-empt Requests
Hunger pangs, thirst, an itchy label in a particular pair of pyjamas – you name it, a child will use it as an excuse for a precious few minutes extra at bedtime, but you can limit this by pre-empting their requests.
If they always ask for a drink, give them a non-spill cup or bottle to have throughout the night. If they always want you to check inside the wardrobe or beneath the bed for monsters, take them up five minutes earlier to allow time for this.
Create a Relaxing Environment
Half the battle with getting kids to bed is making their bedroom appealing yet relaxing to be in. Kids have a hard time resisting temptation so if their room is cluttered with easy-reach toys, it’s time to tidy them away. Plastic storage boxes that stack or slide under beds are ideal.
If your little one is scared of the dark or anxious about being alone and refuses to have the door closed (but has the tendency to tip-toe downstairs and silently appear, frightening the wits out of you!) try temporarily putting a baby gate in their doorway until they feel more confident at night. If they’re capable of climbing over a baby-gate, bedside lamps can be comforting when placed next to your little ones bed instead.
Give Your Child Some Control
Before changing anything in your child’s bedroom or sleep routine, talk to them about it first and let them contribute ideas.
By encouraging them to have a say in their bedtime routine, they’re more likely to participate willingly in it. Let them choose some new bedding or a lamp, select the stories you’ll read them and which pyjamas they’ll wear.
Be Patient!
There are no one-size-fits-all routines that guarantee kids will settle down at bedtime so be patient. These exhausting days will pass and until they do, accept that sometimes, all you can do is submit to their outlandish demands and simply crawl into their beds to enjoy the blissful hugs you both need every now and then.
Then maybe have a bar of chocolate!
Making your child’s bedroom sleep-friendly on a budget is easy with B&M. They stock a huge selection of bedding, lamps and storage items. They even do a decent range of milk, dark or white…
*collaboration
Brilliant tips! I really need to work on helping the kids wind down more. I just expect them to hop into bed and go straight to sleep but I know I should spend more quiet time with them before hand.
Gemma recently posted…Bye bye dummies
These are great tips. I’ve finally got a routine that works for us which is great!!
Jodie recently posted…A Family Day Out At The Eden Project
I think it’s really important for young children to have a routine as it helps with bedtime a lot. Amelia’s always been a pretty good sleeper and I put part of that down to a good routine. Some great tips!
Alice recently posted…Roleplay World Bournemouth Review
Some brilliant tips. I also agree that a good routine is so important. Children thrive on routine after all xxx
Harriet @LifeWithMrsLee recently posted…Our Spring Bucket List
Everytime I think we have cracked Sebby he seems to get ill and revert – I need to get stricter I think
Kara Guppy recently posted…BLOK protective cases for your iPad
Great tips! I always try and make sure my girls have calmed down before bedtime!
Life as Mum recently posted…Just Another Linky #53