Beating the bedtime blues

Tired of the nightly bedtime battle? Calm the chaos with these strategies for setting up a routine that sticks.

Bedtime can be hard on everyone. Children are often reluctant to trade the delights of family time or television for a dark and quiet room. Parents are often eager for a few moments of adult time before beginning a new day. Can there be a compromise?

Use the following tips to create a win-win scenario that protects parent time and sends kids into sweet slumber.

Tip #1

Establish a regular night time routine- Yes, this can be hard with mealtime, bath time, homework, lessons, and all the other things that tug us in too many directions; but it can be done. For young children, your routine might look like snack, bath, story, sleep. For older children the routine might be tea or talk together, a video game or walk. The activities are less important than the pattern that, without fail, leads to bedtime.

Tip #2

Try to anticipate needs and concerns before you say the final goodnight - Talk with older children about test or game performance jitters. Make sure younger children visit the bathroom and have a covered cup of water nearby if nights find them thirsty. Also, it wouldn't hurt to reassure them about their safety. Check the closets and under the bed for monsters and other frightful creatures. Consider a flashlight or nightlight that your child can keep close by for emergencies.

Tip #3

Teach your child to be respectful of your privacy - Simple things like teaching your child to knock can help you relax into adult time.

Tip #4

Don't give in if you have a jumping bean. In other words, if your little one gets out of bed 19 times, calmly walk her back to bed 19 times. Allowing her to stay up will almost guarantee that bedtime battles will continue. When parents are not consistent, kids play the odds. Think about it, would you continue to play the slot machine if you didn't sometimes win or come close to winning?

Tip #5

Send them off to sleep with a kiss and kind word. Bedtime is one of the best times for hugs and cuddling. Help your child understand that bedtime is not about getting rid of her; it's about helping her get the rest she needs to be her best, and helping you achieve the balance you need to be your best.