Tips to Help You Get Your Child to Sleep Easier

If you are at the point that you wish bedtime was already over with, just so you don't have to go through another Tortures performance, you are not alone. I know there are hundreds if not thousands of Parents feeling the exact same way right now. You don't have to struggle forever however. I had the same problems when my kids were younger and these were the Tricks that worked the best for me.

Establish a Bedtime Routine.
This may take a couple of days to take affect, but it will work. Make sure you kid has the same bedtime routine everyday. I used to make my kids go to Bed (not sleep) at 7pm. Which meant Dinner was at 5:30 pm, in the bathtub by 6:30 pm and under the covers by 7pm. Lights out was at 8pm during school days and 9pm on the weekends. Holidays were special and got a little bit later if warranted.

Read them a Bedtime Story or sing a Lullaby.
Believe it or not, I did this until my kids were 12 Years old. I tried to stop earlier, but they would not let me get away with it. There are times now when my daughter (16) tells me she wants me to tell her a Story. Normally that means she is sick. Teenagers!
Once they are under the covers, make sure to tug them in. They have a choice of Story or Lullaby. One only! We used to read Chapter Books. Once they got older we would take turns reading to each other. One Chapter a Night.

You get to get up only once!
Right before Lights out, you get to get up once. Go to the Restroom if you have to. Get your Glass of Water for your Nightstand. Kiss the Dog (If you must), get your stuffed Animal. Whatever the last second emergency may be, do it then. You will not get up again until the morning.

A cup of warm milk with honey!
This sweet drink is a natural relaxation Drink, plus it is good for you. Kids love sweets and here is a way to get the Milk down their little throats.

Take a Bath, not a Shower!
The warm Water will calm them. A shower helps you wake up, because of the steady stream of Water tantalizing your nerve endings. The Warm steady water of the tub (add a little lavender or jasmine scent) will relax the body and mind. The Lavender and Jasmine help to make you feel relaxed and drowsy.

Make certain there is an hour - 2 hrs between Dinner and Sleep Time.
Let the Tummy settle a little before you expect them to fall asleep. Make sure they are full, but don't over feed them either. Stuffing anyone right before bed is not only bad for them as adults, but can cause stomach cramps during the night.

A Treat for being good the next day.
We had special little treats for being good the night before. That could go anywhere from them choosing the Breakfast, to a little toy or an outing on the Weekend. Essentially you are giving them a choice and yes you bribe them in a way. However, it does work.

No arguments before Bedtime.
Short of theft, burglary and first degree murder, there is not reason to have a major argument with any child the hour before sleep. I never let my kids to go sleep without them knowing that I still loved them. That does not mean they weren't ever in trouble, but they knew that way ahead of time. If something came up right before bed, we would discuss it in the morning. "The phrase, right now I really don't like you for what you did, but I do love you!" was a normal phrase in our house. The kids knew I was unhappy with there mistake or what they did, but they also knew that no matter what I loved them it things would turn out ok. They could sleep.

Good Night hugs and kisses.
To me that is important for both, Parent and Child. This simple ritual means so much. It gives you love and security and who doesn't need that.

Avoid overly sugary treats for desert right before bed.
Sugar gives you a short energy burst and that is not what we are going for here. Plus you have very little activity during the sleep time. Not good for your weight!

These worked for me, I know there are many more, but this I can swear by. Give them a try.