Sweet and Sleepy Bedtime Routines for Kids

The more relaxed your child is, the more likely he’ll go to bed easily and fall asleep quickly.  Although, if you have a hyper toddler, like I do, you’ll have to really pay attention to his or her cues to properly to assess what they need before wind down time.  My toddler needs to let out energy before we cuddle and read.  If I don’t let him get his busy bugs out each night, then he’ll put up a power struggle, yell and scream as we take him to bed.  Whew!  And no parents wants that…

Wind down before bed, consistent nightly rituals are soothing and allow children to feel safe, secure and sleepy.

Without a routine, your child may have difficulties settling down for a good night’s sleep.

Start early so you have time to get through the entire routine before you tuck him in.

Night Time Routines can consist of:

•    Taking a bath or washing hands and face
•    Wiping gums or brushing teeth
•    A diaper change and getting on  PJ’s
•    Starting the night -time ritual in the bathroom or in another room and ending  up in your child’s room.
•    Getting the wiggles out.  Children sometimes get bursts of energy right before the go to sleep, so let them get the night time goofies, jump up and down or have a giggle and tickle session.
•    Singing or playing a game: like the big gigantic spider crawled up the daddy spout… but don’t get him to overloaded!
•    Have good night puppet show
•    Say goodnight to things around the house  (Good night clock, door, light, moon)
•    Play some music and/or turn on a soothing sound machine

End each departure with a tagline: “Mama loves you, see you in the morning” or “Sweet dreams, we all love you.”

For more great parenting tips, check out Kimberley’s book, www.TheGoToMomsGuide.com.