Collaborative post
I know getting kids to bed isn’t always easy as a mother myself. Over the years we’ve developed a routine that works for us. You might need to try a few different things but a good bedtime routine shoud set you up for a good nights sleep.
So how do you implement a great night-time routine and ensure the kids get the best night’s sleep? Here’s what I’ve found:
Implement a Routine and Stick to It
It can be incredibly hard to stick to a routine, especially when it would be nice for you all to enjoy some family time outdoors. However, if you can stick to the same nightly routine, your child’s body clock will soon adapt to this. So, while those first few nights of going to bed at 7 PM may be hard work, it will get easier with each night that passes.
A bedtime routine is particularly important once your children start school. Find ideas for a school night routine for kids on the sleep tech firm Simba’s website.
Ban Devices and Read Books Instead
While your child may like to play their favourite game on their tablet or watch TV before they go to bed, screen-free time is essential to a bedtime routine. Research demonstrates how electronic devices can disturb these routines for children as the lights they give off can induce wakefulness. So, make sure their bedrooms are dark (advice on this coming next) and read them their favourite story under the light of a bedside lamp.
Make Their Bedroom a Dark Space
When the sun is still beaming down, there’s no wonder kids find it hard to go to sleep – it just doesn’t feel natural. That’s why you need to try and make their rooms as dark as possible to give the impression of night. Blackout blinds are great for this and are available in a wide range of designs. Having these hung up at the window will help soothe them into sleep while you’re reading their favourite book – but be warned, you may end up drifting off, too!
Try Essential Oils
To create a feeling of restfulness, you may want to try using essential oils in their bedroom. You can get these in sprays and certain fragrances, e.g. lavender, to help them drift off to sleep naturally and peacefully. You can get sleep sprays specifically for children.
Does your child often have fears of monsters in their room or bad dreams? Then you might also want to use the help of a ‘magic’ spray too. Tell them that when you spritz this around the room before they go to sleep it wards off any monsters or scary dreams.
This too should help them feel more relaxed before they start counting sheep. Armed with these helpful tips and tricks, the dreaded night-time routine should soon be a breeze and the whole family will be drifting off with ease.