How to Create a Bedtime Routine for Your Children

Creating a bedtime routine for your children can help them sleep better. A study conucted in 2005 by Dr Mindell showed that children who have a bedtime routine (in a three step process...bath, massage and quiet activity such as reading) fall asleep faster, sleep more than children who do not have a routine, wake less in the night as well as improving the sleep patterns of the parents!

Routine is important for children, not just at bedtime. It helps them predict their day and know what's coming next. If after the family is done eating dinner, you clean up and let the kids play for an hour and then it's bath, brush teeth, book and to bed, than even before they sit at the dinner table at 6:00 pm - they already know how far away bedtime is. It's not a shock. "Like, aw man! already??"

Creating a bedtime routine doesn't need to take loads of time. Advice given to parents by Jo, on the ABC hit television show Super Nanny, states that a bedtime routine should take no longer than one hour! Anything more than that is not only not practical, but unwise.

There are various things that you can create for your child's bedtime routine. Among the most familiar are giving a bath, reading books, lullabies and singing songs together. But you can be creative and stick almost anything in your routine. For one family it may be sipping hot cocoa while reading books, then up to wash hands and face, brush teeth and good night - out goes the light. For others families it may include winding down and watching a half hour show or movie while relaxing on the couch. Then up to bed with a song and kisses.

Of course reading is always encouraged because it is so important, so adding a book to the bedtime routine is a wise choice. The bedtime routine that you create will create lasting tradition in your family. I know I remember my mother always blowing me kisses and catching mine. She would say "I caught it and I am putting it right here in my heart" Well, years later I use this same phrase right as I am closing the bedroom door to my own children. It warmed my heart when my oldest son (who is five) blew a kiss to my mother, who in return said the same thing she always had. My son was amazed that she knew how to catch kisses and put them in her heart!

It's little things like that, that make creating a bedtime routine so special. I sing lullabies to my children. My two older children (5, 3) like to insert wacky works in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Each time they say a silly word, I tickle them. Now, they won't even go to bed without me singing to them! It just became habit for them and it's what they know and love.

Creating a bedtime routine is enjoyable and offers children not only lasting memories that they will carry into adulthood, but also bonds and strengthens your relationship with your kids. We all wish there was more time in the day to get everything done, but please take the time to tuck your kids in with a routine that comforts them to sleep!

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like Childproofing Your Home for a Toddler: The Second Time Around which is a great article that helps parents see the "new" hidden dangers when there is an older siibling in the home. Everything from Barbie shoes to broken HotWheels can be a lurking threat to your new addition!

Sources:
http://thestar.com
http://www.supernanny.com/