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Help Your Child Wind Down At Bedtime

By Kristen Miller | Disclosure Policy: This post may include affiliate links.

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Kids spend a majority of their day sleeping. But actually getting them to wind down and go to sleep is not an easy task for most parents. It also seems that the more tired kids get, the more wound up they get. So when they miss that magic sleepy time, it might be even harder to get them to go to sleep.

Help your child wind down at bedtime

How do you get your child to wind down before bed?

I was having a hard time getting my older daughter to go to bed after her sister was born. Part of that, I'm sure, was just that having a new baby can wreck havoc on any schedule. But it was also that she wasn't getting enough "Mommy time."

At the time, she was 2 and a half, so she was starting to be able to sit still long enough to read books. We went to the library and stocked up on short, easy to read kids books. I especially like the learning to read books at a level 1. They were short enough that they kept her interest and then we could switch to a new book.

I would put the baby to be around 7:30pm and then my older daughter and I would read a few books for about 10-15 minutes. We got Mommy Daughter bonding time, reading time, and winding down for bedtime all in one. It worked really well and I have my sister in law to thank for the recommendation.

Here is what other moms have to say about getting their kids to wind down for bedtime.

Advice and Stories from Real Moms

Help your child wind down at bedtime

Lots of homework

My kids are usually pretty tired at bedtime (lots of homework and early middle school hours), so getting them to wind down is not a problem! - Lauren from Mom Home Guide

Read them a bedtime book

[easyazon_image align="left" height="160" identifier="0671449028" locale="US" src="https://www.practicalmommy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/61TU2B6P3yL.SL160.jpg" tag="practmommy-20" width="160"]

I always read my kids a bedtime book. Each kid gets to pick a book and then after book time, it's bedtime. I can definitely tell a difference getting my kids to sleep if we try to skip book time. I like to pick books that teach my kids something I want them to learn - eating vegetables, going to sleep, not being afraid of the dark.

This is a really cute book about going to bed - [easyazon_link identifier="0671449028" locale="US" tag="practmommy-20"]The Going-To-Bed Book[/easyazon_link] by Sandra Boynton.

Turn off the electronics

Bath time is a couple of hours before bed rather than close to bedtime. We also try to turn off the tv and other electronics to cut down on that sort of stimulation. Right before bed, we read 3-5 short board books, and then we snuggle with him until he falls asleep. - Donella from Wife.Mom.Geek.

They act differently with each parent

The easiest way to make my daughter to wind down at bedtime is to let her stay with her dad in the living room, while I go reading in the bedroom. When she is with me, she just wants to dance or jump around, but when she is alone with her dad, she takes her blankie and lays down. In just 10 minutes she is ready for bed! - Marina from Parental Journey

Establish a bedtime routine

My husband winds them UP! So, avoid handing them over to a winder-upper! Seriously though - establish a bedtime routine - we clean rooms, bathe, dress in pjs, brush teeth, then have family scripture study and prayer. Read them a story. Then send them to bed! - Valerie from Occasionally Crafty

Go To Bed Chart

[easyazon_image align="center" height="500" identifier="B010RK1IT4" locale="US" src="https://www.practicalmommy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/51F5LTVf3nL.jpg" tag="practmommy-20" width="477"]

I love [easyazon_link identifier="B010RK1IT4" locale="US" tag="practmommy-20"]this one[/easyazon_link] because it's a large, colorful vinyl sticker with a dry erase marker. You can put it in there room or bathroom and they can put a check mark when each item is accomplished.

Quiet play time

We have a nice quiet play, bath time, stories, milk and cuddles! - Nikki from Play Learn Every Day

Thank you Moms!

Each child is different, so you have to experiment and see what works for you. Don't despair if one thing doesn't seem to work. Keep trying until you find something that will work for your kid.

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Filed Under: Parenting, Parenting Lounge Tagged With: parenting

Comments

  1. Chelsea says

    January 24, 2017 at 12:00 pm

    Great read! For me the routine has helped a lot with our son but making sure daddy is part of it ( since he works )

    Reply
  2. Lou Lou Girls says

    June 1, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    Hello Gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm, so we can party with you! Lou Lou Girls

    Reply
  3. Angela McKinney says

    June 1, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    My 3 year old is so hard to get to bed. My husband still has her in bed with us and wont help me move her and it sucks! I wish he would get on board and realize if we move her we get out bed and intimacy back but no he doesnt get is. I love your tips though and am so glad you shared at #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
  4. Mrs. AOK says

    May 31, 2015 at 7:19 am

    Thanks for sharing with us at Mommy Monday!
    XOXO

    Reply
  5. Katherines Corner says

    May 30, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    wonderful tips! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. xo

    Reply
  6. Becca says

    May 29, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    These are some awesome tips. I’ve definitely used a few of these. Found you through the Friday Features Linky Party. I’m definitely going to stumble this to share with everyone!

    Reply
    • Kristen Miller says

      May 29, 2015 at 4:20 pm

      Thanks so much for sharing

      Reply
  7. Sheena says

    May 27, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    Great ideas!! We have a bedtime routine and my three year old still cries “I don’t want to go to bed”. But he knows the routine and when its time to start going to his room he knows without saying anything.

    Reply
  8. Leesha @ Living Contently says

    May 27, 2015 at 7:47 am

    I love these ideas! It can be tough getting little ones ready to drift off to sleep, but I definitely think making a good routine helps. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Jenn says

    May 27, 2015 at 6:41 am

    Great ideas! Thanks for sharing #bloggersbrag

    Reply
  10. Brandi Clevinger says

    May 24, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    We have a bedtime routine and start settling down one hour before bedtime. ie no electronics, rough play, etc It’s worked great for the last few years, and we hope it continues to be effective for years to come.

    Thanks for sharing at #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup !

    Reply
    • Kristen Miller says

      May 25, 2015 at 3:24 pm

      I can definitely tell a difference in my daughter if she watches TV or the tablet right before bed. And it’s not a plus.

      Reply
  11. Sarah Koontz {Grounded & Surrounded} says

    May 18, 2015 at 7:38 am

    I just love the graphic you chose for this post! I am not always successful at getting my kiddos ready for bed, but I think having a consistent routine is helpful. We have also had a zero tolerance policy for delay tactics from our children…..

    Reply

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A 30-something Mommy to 2 darling girls (2 and 4) and a newborn baby boy. I love reading, writing, trying new beers with my husband and binge watching series on Netflix.

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