BEDTIME
Bedtime can be a real challenge for many families. Some kids will naturally go to bed with no problem while others will resist with all their might. There are certain strategies that are usually effective for almost everyone. Certain things like dim light, motion, body position, smells, sounds, etc. can trigger the brain to produce chemicals to make you sleepy.
The goal for parents is to establish triggers that make their children sleepy. That is why it is so important to establish a BEDTIME ROUTINE every night. As soon as you begin the routine, the brain recognizes the triggers and begins to prepare for sleep. Again, for some, this is an easy process while for others it will take more time and patience.
You should begin to establish your routine from the very beginning and do it EVERY NIGHT. Here are some suggestions:
Play or sing a certain song or lullaby
Read a book
Designate a particular stuffed animal for bedtime (i.e. “sleepy dog”)
Have a bedtime blanket
Say prayers
Give everyone in the family a goodnight kiss
Eventually, every child will need to learn to lie down and put themselves to sleep. You will need to put them in their bed before they are asleep. As long as you know they are safe and dry, it’s OK to let them cry after you put them down. If they are still crying or screaming after 10 – 15 minutes you can go back in their room, but DO NOT pick them up. Pat their back or give them a kiss to re-assure them and then leave. In extreme cases, you can stay quietly in the room, but, again, DO NOT interact with them other than a brief reassurance. If you pick them up, they will expect that every time and that will just prolong your battle. Your goal is for them to go to sleep by themselves. This is the beginning of self-sufficiency which builds confidence and self-esteem. Please don’t fool yourself by thinking that you cannot follow these steps because your child is different. ANY child will learn what they are taught. Eventually, you will just have to say, “It’s bed time,” and off they will go!
Routine continues to be of vital importance even for older children. You should establish a bedtime that occurs every night. Weekends can be a bit later if you choose. Bedtime really means “roomtime”. They don’t actually have to go to sleep, but they do have to go their room and be quiet. This is when they will begin to learn the responsibility of taking care of themselves. If they don’t go to sleep at a reasonable time, they will suffer the next morning when you wake them for school.
Ask yourself, “Do I want my child to be able to regulate how much sleep they need when I’m not around?” Well, when are you going to teach them that?
©2010 raise a kid R.I.G.H.T.
The goal for parents is to establish triggers that make their children sleepy. That is why it is so important to establish a BEDTIME ROUTINE every night. As soon as you begin the routine, the brain recognizes the triggers and begins to prepare for sleep. Again, for some, this is an easy process while for others it will take more time and patience.
You should begin to establish your routine from the very beginning and do it EVERY NIGHT. Here are some suggestions:
Play or sing a certain song or lullaby
Read a book
Designate a particular stuffed animal for bedtime (i.e. “sleepy dog”)
Have a bedtime blanket
Say prayers
Give everyone in the family a goodnight kiss
Eventually, every child will need to learn to lie down and put themselves to sleep. You will need to put them in their bed before they are asleep. As long as you know they are safe and dry, it’s OK to let them cry after you put them down. If they are still crying or screaming after 10 – 15 minutes you can go back in their room, but DO NOT pick them up. Pat their back or give them a kiss to re-assure them and then leave. In extreme cases, you can stay quietly in the room, but, again, DO NOT interact with them other than a brief reassurance. If you pick them up, they will expect that every time and that will just prolong your battle. Your goal is for them to go to sleep by themselves. This is the beginning of self-sufficiency which builds confidence and self-esteem. Please don’t fool yourself by thinking that you cannot follow these steps because your child is different. ANY child will learn what they are taught. Eventually, you will just have to say, “It’s bed time,” and off they will go!
Routine continues to be of vital importance even for older children. You should establish a bedtime that occurs every night. Weekends can be a bit later if you choose. Bedtime really means “roomtime”. They don’t actually have to go to sleep, but they do have to go their room and be quiet. This is when they will begin to learn the responsibility of taking care of themselves. If they don’t go to sleep at a reasonable time, they will suffer the next morning when you wake them for school.
Ask yourself, “Do I want my child to be able to regulate how much sleep they need when I’m not around?” Well, when are you going to teach them that?
©2010 raise a kid R.I.G.H.T.