Yes! it's finally Bedtime

Hey dolls, Happy Sunday. Wrapping up August with a revisit to an old post I thought was relevant since school has arrived once again. Summer can be disruptive to a bedtime flow because of the later Sunset and all the fun activities. Getting back into the swing of things can cause stress and anxiety.

 Bedtime for kids can either be fun or full of drama.

You had a long day at work or you have spent your day home with the kid’s one task after another and when 7:30 rolls around all you want to do is say goodnight and have some alone time. But your little one has a different idea. He or she wants you to sit with them. Wants you to sing one more song or read just one more story please please please mommy you hear.

I remember those days very well the following is the routine I used that worked pretty well give or take a few tweaks here and there:

-set a specific bedtime, No excuses no fuss. My daughter and I would begin to get her bed ready about 20 minutes to half hour before bed.
-I'd get book or song together for the night. This would also be the winding down time no more TV, no more food, drinks etc..
-We would prep ourselves for down time. If she chose a song or a story I'd lay next to her and proceed with our quality bedtime wrap up.
-when we were done, we would say good night and share few hugs and kisses, I would dim the lights and put the radio on to a lite station with calming music and that would be that.

illustration by positive-discipline.ca

Now on the nights it didn't go as smoothly due to a cold or bad dream or potty break I would go back in reinforce with a few more kisses and leave quickly again. You cannot engage in long chatter or indulge in their whimpering because if you do, the night will never wrap up.

What is your bedtime routine? What tricks do you use to get your night to end smoothly?

Always stress free xo,

Mari