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DailyDish - Let's make a deal
Categories: Preschoolers, Kids 5-7, Sleep
If your kids are tired but don't want to go to bed, offer them this deal.
My son is wonderful about bedtime -- he gets his hug and kiss, climbs into bed, and passes out. Not so my daughter. Regardless of how tired she might actually be, she claims she can't sleep and wants to stay up. So instead of fighting her, I strike a deal with her. I tell her to lie down, close her eyes, and be quiet for ten minutes and then, if she's still not asleep, she can stay up.
Of course, by the time I come back to check on her, she's out cold. If, for some reason, she manages to stay awake, I just say it hasn't been ten minutes yet. Since she can't yet tell time (and doesn't have a watch anyway), this works out just fine.
Mind you, don't try this if your kid really isn't tired -- you'll just end up with a cranky, bored kid. Nobody wants that. But if they're at all ready for some shut-eye, this may just do the trick.
This week on Daily Dish, we're talking about parenting tricks. Come back daily for a new tip!
My son is wonderful about bedtime -- he gets his hug and kiss, climbs into bed, and passes out. Not so my daughter. Regardless of how tired she might actually be, she claims she can't sleep and wants to stay up. So instead of fighting her, I strike a deal with her. I tell her to lie down, close her eyes, and be quiet for ten minutes and then, if she's still not asleep, she can stay up.Of course, by the time I come back to check on her, she's out cold. If, for some reason, she manages to stay awake, I just say it hasn't been ten minutes yet. Since she can't yet tell time (and doesn't have a watch anyway), this works out just fine.
Mind you, don't try this if your kid really isn't tired -- you'll just end up with a cranky, bored kid. Nobody wants that. But if they're at all ready for some shut-eye, this may just do the trick.
This week on Daily Dish, we're talking about parenting tricks. Come back daily for a new tip!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Texas River Rat 11-13-2008 @ 11:46AM
I can see how this might be a solution to getting a little one to bed. But ... you knew that was coming didn't you? ... seems like there was a time when if Mommy says you should do this (go to bed, clean the room, come to supper - pick a subject) that was sufficient. I feel like parents who give up that "because I said so" approach will suffer and be making deals way more than they care to in years to come. And I much prefer being the benevolent dictator to lying to a child about how many minutes it's been.
Just sayin'
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