FosterFeel
After dinner, while I was still working with cleaning kitchen my little girl went to get ready for bed. She brushed her teeth, dressed her up in pajama, read a story for herself with her favorite doll, gave me good night kiss and went back to her room with night lamp. Sweet dream!!!
You might feel oh yes this is what I want from my kid too. But trust me it is nothing more than a sweet dream. Your kid will surely do this by the age of 10 but before that adore your kid the way s/he is. S/he is not big enough to think this way and even if s/he will do I am sure not a single parent will enjoy it. “It is good to take a day off from office but not to leave a job permanently” same way “It is fun to see kids helping with small chores but not taking all the good care of them by themselves.”
So dream apart this is not going to happen and so as a parent it is your duty to put your kid on bed before they get tired. We know how tough it is and thus here we are providing you little help.
Every kid wants to play whole day and night and thus they won’t be ready to give up their play to sleep. But yes with proper routine and love you can help them to understand that this is sleeping time and there will be tomorrow to play.
#1 Slow Down: The first thing you need to tell your kid is “This is sleeping time now.” And that shouldn’t be end up with the sound “its sleeping time baby.” you must show it before the time and that too not by your words but by your action.
I am talking about the environment which you should create to feel like sleeping time. We grownup can understand that by the moon light but for kids it is not enough. You need to provide extra signals to bed time.
Like slow down. Slow down the surrounding noise. Switch off the TV or any loud music. Talk softly and slowly, Dim all the lights and take a short break to play family game which can give them rest. Avoid the activities which includes physical exercise instead choose some family game depends on the age of your kid. This will help their body to understand that it is tired now and so they will calm down.
#2 Soothing is important: Now you know they are calm, their body is relaxed, next step to ease up their mind. And for that bedtime bath is good option. Bath will help to soothe their body and mind. Help them to dress up their pajamas (I always feel night clothes should be wear only in night times so it leaves right impact on body and mind they meant to be).
Next is cuddle time. Show your love and read a story. Remember it will be helpful if you can maintain the room temperature around 68 to 72 degrees, cold helps to sleep. When you are done with the story, give them a good night kiss, start the soft music and leave them in their room with their favorite blanket or soft toy. They will surely fall asleep in few minutes.
Trust me this won’t take long but surely help your kid to feel secure and safe.
#3 Say yes to 7: Sounds crazy? Yeah when I heard this for the first time I too felt how crazy is this!!! I wondered who sleeps at 7pm. But when I tried to implement it, it really worked and still working perfectly. Thanks to ECFE (an institute which guides parents to raise their kids).
We always heard “Early to bed and early to rise makes you healthy wealthy and wise” but always ignore to implement. Kids need at least 11 to 12hrs continuous sleep and if they won’t sleep at 7pm or latest by 8pm there is no way they can complete their 12hrs sleep before 7am in the morning. Result lazy morning late for kindergarten late for everything and you will be in rush for your office and total mess of morning rather to have a comfy fresh start of the day.
There are other reasons to put your kids on bed at 7 like 1. It will give you Me Time when you are really tired of your entire day. 2. You can spend time with your kid when they are really fresh and in their full charm. 3. Tired parents and tired kids can spend only quantity time not quality time.
As I always say “Be Consistent” in whatever you choose for your kid. Routine helps them to understand the things and leads toward a confident life.
Well last but not least start these S an hour before bedtime. Means if you want your kid to sleep by 7pm, start it at 6pm and so on. I am sure you too will agree to share an hour of love and comfort with your kid to reduce Bedtime Battles.
