Creating A Calm Environment At Bedtime
Getting your child to go to sleep on time at night can often be a frustrating difficult task. But we all struggle through it because we know how important it is for our children to get a proper night’s sleep. Getting the proper amount of sleep promotes children’s ability to learn, follow straightforward instructions and concentrate on detail. It also greatly affects mood and behavior. To help make bedtime a more relaxing experience for you & your youngsters, these are some ways in which you can provide a relaxing environment at bedtime.
Create consistent bedtime schedules for each kid. Consider getting you and your spouse on a consistent schedule also. This consistency lessens the struggle of getting your children to cooperate at bedtime. It also improves sleep patterns and gets their body used to calming down at night and waking back up in the morning.
Make a bed-time routine that begins at least a half hour before sleep. This will signal to your kid that the day is winding down and they are getting ready for bed. This routine can include quiet-time, story time, brushing teeth and washing up, a favourite TV show, anything that relaxes and does not create excitement before bed. Doing this can also make bedtime a pleasurable experience for your children and cause less in-and-out of bed situations.
Let your youngster have some say on what their favourite bedtime routine should ideally include. Including your kids in decision making breaks down resistance to the method and permits things to go a lot smoother, particularly if your kid is looking forward to this routine instead of trying to avoid it. Let them choose the activities and objects involved such as toys, games and books. Don’t deter them unless the activities and objects chosen are counterproductive.
Draw a distinction between being in the bedroom and being in bed. This may signal to them the bedtime routine is over and it’s time for sleep. Remember you can’t make your child sleep at a specific time each night, they must do so naturally. But you can set them up to get the optimal amount of sleep by creating a relaxing environment and making sure they are in their bedroom. Taking them away from the activity in the other areas of the house and placing them in their bedroom with their favourite toys or books, will aid them in dropping off quickly.
Remove diversions and excitement at bedtime. Turn off music, television, computer games and end brisk activities.
Avoid bright lights including PC screens. These things signal the brain that it is daytime and make settling down to sleep more troublesome.
Make the bedroom fun and inviting for your kids. Fill the room with things that reflect your child’s character and personal tastes. Give them input on the colors, and decor. A great idea is to get a bedding set with their number one sports team or cartoon character on it. These things make the bedroom a great, positive place and it won’t be as much of a struggle to have them go there at night.
If your kid gets up after being put to bed, return them to their room or ignore their calls unless it’s something serious. Positive reinforcement of this activity leads to poor habits. It can be difficult not to respond to your kid crying for you, however if you continue to indulge they’ll do it more frequently to drag out bedtime.
Limit sugar and caffeine intake before bedtime. Permitting child to consume stimulants like these will only make your job harder. Best practice is to avoid anything with caffeine or sugar after dinner/dessert is over. Stick to snacks that are low in sugar and not heavy.
Indulge child in things that make them more at ease at bedtime such as a night light, or leaving the door open a crack to let light in, and playing soft music in the background. Children won’t sleep if they are scared so it is important to put them at ease if you don’t wish to be called to their room many times a night.
Give them something comfortable to snuggle. Children frequently feel alone at bed time. Giving them a favorite pillow, blanky, stuffed animal or doll can be helpful.
Get a little rest yourself! When you are well rested, the house is a more happy, less stressed place. Try your own bedtime routine. After putting the child to bed avoid playing loud music, TV or having guests over late into the night.
Pamela Noble writes useful articles on common household topics for Boyho.net . You’ll find more information on boy’s bedding and girl’s bedding on the Boyho site.











