We have all had those days, where we count down to bedtime, just so we can have a few hours of silence. But we also all know the bedtime sense of dread… you know whats coming, the bedtime battle.
Children are clever little beings, from a young age they learn what they want and how to get their own way. As parents, we often give in, we often think, oh just this one time they can stay up, it can’t hurt…. but gosh yes it can!
I have never been a stickler for a strict bedtime routine BUT what I have always instilled in my home is the notion that once the clock hits 7pm my children have to be in their bedrooms and are not allowed back downstairs.
Now you’re probably thinking that would never work..BUT… if that rule is applied from day 1, it becomes a routine and a habit. Now my youngest DS is just 1 years old and he is my best sleeper, he goes down at 7 and wakes at 8AM. That’s right no waking for night feeds and no needing night comfort! I have done this by always putting him in his cot, from 6 months old, at 7pm. Every night without fail. And now 7pm is his natural body clocks cue for bed!
My older DSs however are not so easy, they will stay in their room but very often do they fall asleep until past 8… but thats not too bad. I limit the toys in their room and use reward schemes as incentives, sometimes it even works to use the old “whoever sleeps first gets…”. Now again, they have always had a bedtime of 7pm, but hey I am realistic, as they get older 7pm is too early so I allow them wind down time before bed..in their rooms.
Lastly my DD, my little angel, now she is aged 6, the eldest of the bunch and also the wisest. She knows all the tricks in the book, reasons why she needs to come downstairs, reasons why my or my DH need to go and check on her etc etc. Now here is what works with her – being the only girl she lives to be in charge – a bit of female empowerment never hurt anyone! So we tell her that she is to set the example for her brothers and show them what a good bedtime routine is… would you believe it works like a charm. She’s always the second to fall asleep (my baby being the first).
Always remember YOU are in charge, if your children try to take over your bed or your free evenings, your me time, then take that control back. Put them back in their beds, set their routine… this doesn’t make you a bad parent, it makes you human!
By Mandeep Rai Canterbury
Mandeep Rai Canterbury 