How to Put Your Child to Bed Without TearsBy Janet Sexauer |
| Tired of the bedtime struggle? Put your child to bed without tears by following these steps. |
SET A BEDTIME Select a specific time for bed. Talk about the time with your child. Show your child the time on the clock to help them see and understand. Give them a little warning that it is getting close to bedtime (i.e. it is 7:30, in 15 minutes it will be your bedtime). Set a timer or alarm clock then you won't be the "bad guy", the timer will be! (Ever hear of Pavlov's dog?) Kids often think they are missing fun, so let them know you are cleaning or doing laundry. START A ROUTINE Take a bath, brush teeth, use the bathroom, set out clothes for the next day or whatever routine you want your child to complete before he/she goes to bed. PLAY HIDE-THE-BOOK GAME Play a bedtime game like "hiding a bedtime book" in your child's room. Hide a book and allowing them to find it will give them something fun to look forward to when going to bed. When they find the book, read it together. This will begin good reading habits and also give you quality time together. There are many good books about going to bed which will reinforce your message. If your child is scared, talk about his fear and read a book about being afraid. Reading books written on a child's level helps them understand the concept. See some great bedtime books Books about going to bed or see our books page CJKid Books page for other books. PLAY SOFT MUSIC OR PUT ON AN AUDIO BOOK Putting on soft music or an audio book is a way for your child to listen WITHOUT HAVING TO KEEP THEIR EYES OPEN. Give a hug and kiss and LEAVE THE ROOM. Classic Books on CD See more More bedtime books and music NO GETTING OUT OF BED RULE Let your child know that if they get out of bed, you will not be able to play the hide the book game the next night. They will also have to go to bed 15 minutes earlier the next night. Then STICK TO IT! There should not be any excuses about using the bathroom as they would have done that as part of their routine before getting into bed. STICK TO THE ROUTINE! It takes six weeks to make a habit. Make a promise that you will try this routine for at least six weeks. Your child will know what to expect and won't feel as if they are missing out on anything. Playing the hide the book game and reading it together will give them something fun at bedtime to look forward to and will encourage reading. But most of all your child will love ending the day with one-on-one time with mom and/or dad! |
| Read books and more tools and helpful bedtime hints on our Help with Kidz Page (see Bedtime) |
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Read a book and record it and let your kids play it back on the nights you can't read a bedtime story.
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