Bedtime routines - What's yours?
Categories: Toddlers, Preschoolers, Kids 5-7, Health & safety
Kids across the nation should all finally be back-to-school, which means parents across the nation are trying to adjust to a sometimes radical new schedule. Sleep, especially when there isn't enough of it, is on everyone's minds. Most adults need a solid 8 hours, but kids needs are different based on their age.One of the easiest ways to get kids to bed is a predictable, consistent bedtime routine. Setting the the tone for sleep about 30-60 minutes before lights out helps children's bodies prepare for sleep. This means that loud, active play and brightly lit video games should be ended long before bed. Quieter activities like puzzles, crafts, books, music, bath, or just a little snuggling will put your child in the bedtime frame of mind. Follow this with a predictable nighttime routine, and you have the perfect recipe for a peaceful day's end.
Bedtime comes early at our house, so our after dinner "family time" ends with picture books on the couch. Then we head upstairs for tooth brushing and jammies. Once everyone is tucked in and lights are out, I read a little from a chapter book (currently Junie B. Jones) by flashlight. My soothing voice in the dark seems to lull the kids into a drowsy state, and it's great incentive for getting in bed without an argument.
Do you have a bedtime routine that helps eliminate bedtime battles? Share it with us in comments.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jenni 9-05-2008 @ 6:21PM
The "routine" starts at dinner preperation. Make dinner, sit down as a family for that dinner, then clean up the kitchen and the messes from the day.
Then the bedtime things start: Bath, pajamas, grooming (lotion, hair combing, nail clipping, etc...), crawl together into a rocking chair with a good book and a read aloud. Then as people (small wee ones) have relaxed and calmed from the day, crawl into bed. Tuck in with blankets and lovies. Turn off the light, say goodnight, and the bedtime routine is done.
There has naver been a problem with this routine and, keeping with this routine, has made bedtime so easy and painless
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Momma 9-05-2008 @ 7:19PM
We go in to the bedroom 45 minutes before "lights out" and have quiet time that can be legos, or quiet play. But alway sending with me reading to him for 20 - 30 minutes.
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Joy 9-05-2008 @ 8:02PM
Our routine was pretty much exactly like Jenni’s.
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