For some parents, getting your child to go to bed can be an absolute nightmare, no pun intended. This is especially frustrating as getting your children to bed is also key to shifting your focus to other obligations that you may have, whether they be work-related or simply household tasks. With this being said, a smooth bedtime routine can easily alleviate these concerns. So how should you try and form this routine? Here are some tips to consider.
Preach Consistency
Children typically do not adjust as quickly or as seamlessly to change as adults do. Even the slightest hitch in a child’s schedule can drastically change the dynamics of everything to them. Having inconsistency before bed naturally will also make it harder for the child to adjust, and eventually fall asleep. The solution to this is to find times and rituals that are repeatable night in and night out, so that your child will not even question their bedtime.
Offer Small Rewards To More Enjoyable Parts Of The Bedtime Routine
A bedtime routine is multifaceted, as there are several things that need to be done before we and our children fall asleep at night. For kids, things like brushing their teeth may be more of a drag to them. This is why you offer to do things they may enjoy more after they have done these tasks. Let them know that following the more difficult sections of the routine, you will do things such as read a book with them, or tell them a good night story so that they will glide through the more difficult parts of the routine effortlessly.
Limit Technology At All Costs
Many parents may know that nothing quite will fire your kids up like technology, whether it be video games or TV. This can raise their energy level before bed, making it hard to fall asleep. As a result, try and implement a rule where your children are not allowed to use electronics too close to a bed time, as they will be much harder to put to sleep if they are fresh off of using technology.
