Toddlers tend to have their own ideas about what they
want or don’t want, and unfortunately, going to bed often falls into the
“don’t want” category. Getting a cranky toddler to go to bed is no walk
in the park, but having a good bedtime routine will help.
Toddlers need routine to feel safe and also to learn their boundaries.
It may take a little patience and perseverance, and it certainly needs
commitment from you, but gradually your toddler will start to cooperate.
Remember that one of the most important factors for
success is that you must make the commitment to stick with the
routine that you establish! If there are nights when you "can't be
bothered" or are in too much of a rush, your toddler will catch on and
start to play up again.
Here are a few ideas:
Give your toddler a soothing bath before bedtime - one of the
oldest and most successful bedtime routines for kids. A warm bath will
soothe and help your toddler calm down before bed. You can add a little
lavender or chamomile oil to help your little one relax. Try to keep
things calm and don’t add too many toys to the bath. This is a time for
your toddler to relax.
Toddlers love good story – your toddler particularly loves
listening to the sound of your voice. Read a bedtime story to help him
drift off to sleep. You can of course try making up stories instead of
reading. Include your child as one of the characters and talk about
things your child will find interesting. Regular bedtime stories and
reading to your child will help influence her interests and develop her
creativity.
Sing a Lullaby – a lullaby helps lull babies and toddlers
to sleep. Your voice and lulling rhythm of the song will give your
toddler security and calm him down. You can also play soft music in
their rooms. Just watch the reaction of your toddler. Sometimes even low
music can stimulate or irritate very sleepy toddlers.
No Surprises – not when it comes to bedtime.
About 15 minutes before you start your bedtime routine let your toddler
know. Try not to mention bed. Instead warn your child that it is "15
minutes to bath time" or "15 minutes to story time". Some toddlers will
automatically go into overdrive if they hear the word bed!
15 minutes is a hazy time scale for a toddler, who really isn't a good
judge of time at all! You should give a 5 minute warning too, followed
up by a comment - something like this: "Its five minutes until bath time
now. That gives us just enough time to finish building this tower and
then to put our toys away".
Don't Panic – If, despite all the warnings,
your toddler protests, remain calm and just insist that it’s time to go.
Your toddler takes his moods and bases his reactions on how he sees you
acting, so if you begin to get anxious or angry, he is likely to too.
Don't Rush - if you’re rushing and putting the emphasis on
getting them to sleep then your toddler will pick up on that and lash
out. Try to place the emphasis on spending quiet, quality time with your
toddler. Allow yourself plenty of time so that you can get through the
whole bedtime routine without rushing and be flexible and allow for
little glitches in your routine.
Don’t Give In – Speak to your toddler before hand about your new
bedtime routine, warn him soon before the time. When it’s time be firm
and consistent. Even the most reasonable of toddlers will push their
boundaries when allowed. It’s a normal part of growing up and
development. Remember your toddler looks to you to make all the grown-up
and important decisions for him.
Sleep is important for all of us and more so for young children. Be
consistent in your bedtime routine and even if things don’t go well at
first keep it up. If you’re consistent your toddler will eventually come
around.
Trick or Treating - Keep
Your Kids Safe Halloween is a holiday loved by kids everywhere. It’s a fun time
to dress up like silly or scary characters and go trick-or-treating in the
neighborhood. Be sure your kids are safe while trick-or-treating with these
quick tips..
