5 Tips and Tricks for Getting Your Children to Bed On Time

...and how to get them to stay there!

First things first: training a child to a bedtime routine is most likely going to be work.

I can't explain it; but for some reason most little people hate bed time with a passion.

Personally, I like my sleep. Why can't they?

After four children and almost 18 years of parenting, I found 5 tricks for getting children in bed and helping them stay there:

1. Bed time at the same time every night. Whether it be 8 p.m. or 11 p.m., a bed time needs to be consistent.
   
   
2. Overtired translates to no sleep. Why is that the more tired a child is, the less likely they are to sleep? Doesn't make much sense, but it's the way it'll be. So try to keep hectic schedules to a minimum; but when that's not possible, make rest/nap times frequent.
   
   
3. One is the loneliest number that you've ever seen. Allowing your child to sleep with a bed time buddy such a teddy bear or favorite blanket makes sleeping a more pleasurable experience.
   
   
4. We'll leave the light on for ya. A child's imagination has a way of conjuring up images of horrible things in the dark (okay, even my adult mind can do that times). A little night light can go a long way in making a little one feel secure about sleeping.
   
   
5. And they lived happily ever after. Not only is reading to a child a great educational activity, but the right book - filled with happy thoughts works a lot like favorite teddy bears and night lights in that it can set the mood about sleep. And fill their precious little minds with sweet dreams!

Each parent is going to find that what works for them, may not work for another. And each bed time routine may need less or even more steps to ensure you tot's good night sleep.

Head over and check out Drama U, you may be able to turn one of your own bed time battle stories into a children’s story.... and help another frazzled parent!