AVOIDING BEDTIME NIGHTMARES! 

You have just put 3-year-old Andrew to bed, and settled comfortably to watch your favourite TV show, when you hear “Mommy I need a drink”. After getting Andrew his drink of water and settling him back in bed, you resume watching TV. Not 5 minutes go by and you hear from the top of the stairs, “ Mommy I can’t sleep”. Your evening quickly deteriorates from there.

Does this sound familiar? Are you dealing with bedtime challenges?

Many children protest going to bed, but the following tips may help improve or eliminate the tug-of-war that often accompanies bedtime.

1.      Establish a consistent bedtime routine and stick with it. Bedtime should be the same time every night. Observe your child and set the bedtime for when your child is naturally sleepy. Often the “official” bedtime occurs much later than when a child becomes naturally sleepy, which results in a cranky uncooperative child. Help your child to wind down before bedtime by establishing a regular routine that may consist of snack time, bath, and/or storytime.

2.      Try to keep activities before bedtime low key. Avoid roughhousing and scary television shows prior to bedtime. It is very difficult to settle a child that is all wound up.

3.      Children find it very difficult to switch their activities without a transition time. So give your child a good 10- to 15- minute warning leading up to bedtime. An alarm clock or a timer works well to give your child advance warning that it is time to get ready for bed.

4.      Giving your child a favourite toy or blanket to take to bed often makes the transition a little smoother. Also night lights are a good idea for a child who fears total darkness.

5.      If your child is prone to getting out of bed, it is important to stay calm and return them back to bed immediately. It is best if you do not get into a discussion or an argument – the less said the better. Just lead the child by the hand, return them to bed and leave the room. If you have to do this repeatedly in one night, stick with it, as by the next night you will notice a significant drop in the number of times you need to put them back to bed. As long as you are consistent, your child will eventually stay in bed. But remember it is important to praise your child when they do stay in their bed the whole night!

6.      Be firm and clear about your expectations for your child around bedtime. You have to mean it when you say “This is the last story I am going to read” or “This is your last goodnight kiss”. Do not give in to whining or crying out – just ignore this. If you have to, let your child know that you will check in on them in 10 minutes if they do not cry out. Often the child is not awake for the second check-in.

Following the above tips can make bedtime in your house a much more pleasant occurrence for everyone involved.

For more information on this or other parenting issues contact Public Health at 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456, or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

- 30 -