Children are reluctant to go to bed for many reasons. Some think that that are missing out on the exciting activities going on after they are in bed. Some resent the fact that the older children get to stay up later. Some have nighttime fears. Active, energetic preschoolers often do anything to avoid sleep. They turn bedtime or naptime into chase time, crying time, or finding another book to read time to postpone the dreaded bed. Bedtime is always difficult in our house. My son whines and cries and sometimes even throws tantrums when it is time for bed. This battle is exhausting. No matter what your child may think about the right time to sleep, stand firm with the time you have chosen. So here are some suggestions to prevent this problem:
Preventing the problem:
• Make a bedtime schedule. End the day or begin a nap with a special feeling between you and your child by telling him some kind of interesting story or by reciting his favorite poem as a regular part of the going to bed routine. Make the event special so it’s something he can look forward to.
• Make sure your child gets plenty of exercise during the day, to help his body tell his mind that going to bed is a good idea.
• Don’t let your child put off napping until late afternoon or evening, and then expect him to go to sleep at eight o’clock. Put him down for naps early enough in the day to make sure he’s tired at bedtime.
• Play with your child before bedtime arrives, to prevent him from fighting bedtime just to get your attention.
• Determine how much sleep your child needs. Establish a consistent sleep schedule that meets his needs, and adjust it as he gets older. Since your child’s need for sleep changes as he gets older, you may need to let him stay up later or shorten his nap as he grows. Children require different amount of sleep. Your two year old may not need the same amount of sleep his older brother did when he was two.
• Stick with your chosen bedtime despite your child’s resistance. Remember that you know why your child doesn’t want to go to bed and why he should.
Solving the problem:
• An hour before the bedtime, set the timer for five minutes and announce that the timer will tell your child when it’s time to start getting ready for bed. This avoids surprises and allows him to anticipate the upcoming events. Make sure you allow enough time for him to get the job done.
• Even if bedtime has been delayed for some reason, go through the same rituals to help your child learn what’s expected of him when it comes to going to bed. Don’t point out how late he’s stayed up. Quicken the pace by helping him going to bed. But don’t omit any steps.
• Since preschoolers find comfort in consistency, have your child bathe, brush his teeth and put on night suit in the same order every night. Ask him to name the next step in the routine, to make a game out of getting ready for bed and to help him feel as if he’s calling the shots.
• Greet your child upon waking with the good news that going to bed nicely is worthwhile.
Most children need a firm bedtime routine that is predictable and comforting. Set your routine and don’t bargain. Nighttime rituals can be reassuring to children and if properly planned can help your child wind down from the day’s event. Set a schedule that works for you: bath time, brushing teeth, story time, hugs and kisses. Keep the routine calm and have your child in bed by the set time. Threatening and spanking your child to get him into bed can cause nightmares and fears, not to mention making you feel upset and guilty when the behavior persists. Punishing a child doesn’t teach him appropriate behavior. Instead, focus on using a timer as a neutral authority to determine when bedtime arrives.