| Many parents find trying to get their child to bed at | | | | period of time playing with their toys or watching the |
| night to be one big struggle. The child may play up, | | | | television. If they want to play, we ensure that the |
| whinge and even cry. When in bed, the child may then | | | | games are relaxing ones and not too energetic. |
| repeatedly keep getting out of bed and coming | | | | If there is a program that is on later than their agreed |
| downstairs. This article gives advice on how to | | | | bedtimes, I agree to video it for them, this way they |
| successfully get your child into bed at night, without all | | | | know that they are not missing out etc. |
| of this fuss. | | | | I have agreed that I will read them a story at bedtime. |
| Some children even though they know that they are | | | | This is something they both love and helps them to |
| tired, do not want to miss out on any of the action or | | | | wind down and relax. They are also given a drink to |
| excitement. They want to spend as much time with | | | | go to bed with, therefore there is no need for them to |
| mom and dad as possible. They can even see the | | | | keep coming downstairs. This drink is always a juice |
| fact that they have to go to bed before their parents | | | | and should not be fizzy. |
| as unjust and even cruel. These types of children will | | | | I have explained to each child the importance of sleep |
| want to disrupt and even avoid going to bed at all cost. | | | | and that it should be something to enjoy and not to |
| I myself have two young children and have been | | | | see as some sort of punishment. I have even gone as |
| through this experience myself. My daughter especially | | | | far as saying that I would love to go to bed at the time |
| needs her sleep and can be very moody in the | | | | that they do, unfortunately their mother does not allow |
| mornings, if she has not had a particular amount of | | | | it. |
| hours of it. As a parent it can become very frustrating | | | | I have tried to make their bedrooms their own little |
| as well as upsetting when you see your child crying | | | | palace. A place that they want to spend time, a place |
| because they do not want to go to bed. Comments | | | | which they find fun, relaxing and comfortable. |
| like, please dad just one more program on the | | | | My son likes to hear music and therefore we play a |
| television, were far too regular, and at times I felt like | | | | tape of his favourite songs in his room. The volume is |
| backing down. | | | | set quite low and this certainly helps him to get to |
| I have now learnt via reading many books on | | | | sleep quite quickly. |
| parenting, how to best deal with this situation. Each | | | | These tips have helped to make our childrens |
| child now has a set time when they have to be in bed | | | | bedtimes a pleasant experience, where it once was |
| by. This is a time that they have both agreed to! | | | | quite fraught. The children themselves are now into a |
| They get changed into their pyjamas around half an | | | | routine, a routine they are happy with. I hope this |
| hour before this time, and then can either spend that | | | | advice proves useful to you as well. Good luck. |