Monday, August 16, 2010
Simplify with a Successful Bedtime Routine
I wrote earlier about the dangers of sleep deprivation. No doubt you’ve had your share of children fighting sleep at bedtime. There could be any number of reasons why that happens. Are they so engrossed in doing something that they don’t want to quit? Have they eaten something that has them wired? Have you inadvertently trained them to do this?
Children thrive on routine. They love repetition. They want to know what to expect next. The same can apply to bedtime. Sleeping should be a comforting and peaceful time where children feel secure. Consistency is the key to any successful bedtime routine.
Each parent must figure out what works for each child but here are some ideas that you might find helpful in establishing a bedtime routine that works:
Children thrive on routine. They love repetition. They want to know what to expect next. The same can apply to bedtime. Sleeping should be a comforting and peaceful time where children feel secure. Consistency is the key to any successful bedtime routine.
Each parent must figure out what works for each child but here are some ideas that you might find helpful in establishing a bedtime routine that works:
- Set a bedtime and stick to it, allowing about half-an-hour for getting ready for bed.
- Engage in quiet activities after dinner so the children will be calm. Overly tired children have a terrible time going to sleep.
- Serve a healthy snack to forestall the “I’m hungry” once the child is in bed. And you’ll want to avoid sugary and caffeine-loaded products.
- A warm bath can begin relaxing your child for sleep.
- Brushing teeth is another healthy habit that should be part of the routine.
- Put the child to bed and have 15 minutes of reading time together or if your child is older use the time to quietly talk, expressing your love, appreciation, and confidence in the person your child is becoming.
- Cuddling with hugs and kisses give warm secure feelings to your children and parents need it too!
- Quiet music can lull children to sleep and if you use the same one every night it will help in the calming routine.
- Leaving a night light on for those afraid of the dark can be a comfort.
- If they’re going through the “being afraid of the monsters under the bed phrase”, have a squirt bottle handy with “special anti-monster spray” (scented water) that can be spritzed into the corners or under the bed to scare the monsters away!
- Leaving the room while they are still awake will help them to learn to put themselves to sleep. When they wake in the night they’ll be able to fall back to sleep without calling for you.
- If they cry as a way of fighting sleep, you may have to get tough with yourself and just let them cry it out. If you need to enter the room, calmly reassure them you’re there and that they need to go to sleep now.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment