Ending the battle of sleep, tips to get your kids to bed

/in /by

Getting your children to go to sleep quickly, easily and early can be a battle. Having these issues can not only affect your children’s mood and health but also your own. (Your sleep is important as well, so check out our post on getting a good night’s sleep here!) Below are some tips to help get your children to bed.

1. Consistency

One of the most important parts of getting your kids to sleep easily is to have a consistent bedtime. If you have a regular routine and time for your kids to bed, they generally have earlier bedtimes, fall asleep faster, wake up less during the night, sleep longer and make the entire process of putting your kids to sleep much easier.

2. Create a routine

Having a go-to schedule can be super helpful in keeping regular nights. Here are some ideas and tips that may come in handy.

  1. Create a peaceful environment
    • Take away loud noises and especially electronics. Instead, maybe read them a bedtime story or sing songs.
  2. Move towards the bedroom
    • Have a routine that has a path leading towards the bedroom. Try to avoid creating a schedule that involves them doubling back to play areas that are full of potential distractions.
  3. Get ready for bed to create associations
    • Bathtime
    • Brush your teeth
    • Change to pajamas
    • Read a nighttime story

3. Create the perfect sleep environment

Kids can get easily distracted and affected by their bedrooms. The ideal room should be:

  • Dark. Have curtains and take out screens that are emitting lights. If your child wants a nightlight, make sure it is dim enough where it won’t affect their sleep.
  • Cool. A temperature between 60-67 degrees will keep your child comfortable.  Also, try to avoid overloading their beds with sheets. Too many can lead to overheating or restlessness.
  • Distraction free. Don’t have any electronics in their room. A television or computer is full of temptation, so it is far better to just remove those distractions altogether.

4. Don’t discount the day

As you probably know, what kids consume and do during the day can have a huge impact on the quality of their sleep at night.

  • DON’T let them have caffeine or too much sugar.
  • DO have them have time to exercise or have some time outside to run around
  • DON’T have them eat a lot before they sleep. If they are done eating about 3-5 hours before bedtime, that is ideal.