Bedtime can be one of the most hectic times of day, even though it’s supposed to be one of the most relaxing! I talk about sleep a lot around here because having a child that calmly and willingly goes to bed is important and can make your whole day better. When you spend the last few hours of your night fighting your kids to please go to bed, it makes for an exhausting end. If you have a little one that is like so many others and hates going to sleep, here is a new bedtime routine to try so you can reclaim bedtime!
Creating A Relaxing Bedtime Routine for Kids
1. Read A Story. But Not Just Any Story. The New York Times bestseller, The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep can make a huge difference in your kids’ willingness to go to sleep. This isn’t just your average bedtime story, this story uses a distinct language pattern that helps your kids fall asleep. The words in the book encourage you to slow down, relax your muscles and let your eyelids get heavy. The story is exciting enough to keep you entertained, but not so action-packed that you’re over-stimulated. I’ve been saying this book is genius since the day it came out and I really believe that.
2. Calming Noise. I know the idea of a sound machine usually relates to a newborn baby, but I think calming noise is important for a child of any age. White noise is especially soothing, but the soft sounds of waves or rivers may work well for your children, too. I don’t like anything with actual words in it though, as I feel like it distracts and makes you focus on the music, rather than it just being a comforting background.
3. Unwind Time. It seems so obvious that having time to unwind in the evening is necessary to being able to settle down. However, we often don’t do it. The kids are still playing with toys or using electronic devices minutes before bed. I have found that having about 20-30 minutes of calmness where the lights are off and things are quiet can make a big difference in how ready they are to go to bed. This is the perfect time to read The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep.
4. A Feeling of Security. I have just noticed this recently; when my kids have some time to sit close to me or on my lap they have an easier time transitioning to bed. Here is my theory: sitting with a parent or care-giver helps them to feel secure, safe and loved which is sometimes the exact opposite of how they feel when they go to bed alone. Giving them this time before bed reminds them that they are safe.
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
Amanda says
I have always been very lucky with bedtime rituals with Matthew. One thing i used to do with him when he was really little was played classical music, didnt know anything about the sound machine at that time lol. But I really think this post offers great advice to those parents who may have kids who don’t want to sleep.
Erika says
We try to do calming things leading up to bedtime- baths, stories, songs, etc. It helps a lot.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
heather says
We always stick to a routine bath time, stories and then quiet.
Elena says
I like to turn on some relaxing music that helps my child fall asleep
Mami2jcn says
We use a white noise machine and rock to sleep.
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/667803771590852608
Natalie says
We shut off the TV at least an hour before bed, play classical music and I read a bedtime story. It works every time!
Natalie says
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/667880620752662528
Lisa Brown says
We would read to our kids before bed and sit in the room a while, if they were having problems with the room being too dark or they were feeling unsure or insecure. Just having one of us in the room, helped them fall sleep. Some classical music, also helped to get them to relax.
Lisa Brown says
tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/668147897557368832
Madeline says
Lately we’ve been using a humidifier with a nightlight inside and our child likes that to help fall asleep (the noise and the light). We also always read to her each night.
Madeline says
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/668177711559503872
OFG says
A warm bath seems to help, followed by three books and a few stories about our day.
OFG says
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/668283906140069888
Ellie Wright says
My 7 year old still has night terrors sometimes. and usually someone has to lay with him until he falls asleep.
Ellie Wright says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/668298460689399809
carol clark says
my 9 year old usually takes a hot shower or bath for like 45 minutes and then hes out like a light bulb so that works for me
Amy Tong says
My bedtime nightmare is when the kids are not feeling well! Yes, that means I can’t really get a good rest. My remedies for putting a child to sleep is reading books and singing songs before bed. We love those quiet time together.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong says
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/668620050970968066
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Jessie C. says
My bedtime nightmare is when kids don’t sleep through the night. Bedtime story routine helps to put my kids to sleep.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jessie C. says
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/668872584897761280
Natalie says
My Kai is turning three December 19th 🙂 we still haven’t gotten bedtime down pat all the way. Some nights it’s easy… When she skips a daytime nap and is literally exhausted. No problem then! Out like a light. Some nights it’s harder. My bedtime nightmare is when she ends up crying and histerically throwing a fit because “she does not want to go to bed.” Hurts my heart. This is rare though. Usually, she just gets back up multiple times a turns the light back on and plays after I leave the room… Then when bored of that, opens the door and the requests begin… snacks, more water, milk, etc. it’s not so bad. I don’t mind a few final requests, But definitely cuts into my time with hubby, and really becomes a nightmare when it goes on and on and on til late.
Elle says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/669194160818155520
Elle says
I have a lot of bedtime nightmare problems during the summer when it’s still very light out outside during bedtime.
rachel says
A good routine helps my toddler! My newborn….that’s a whole other story 😉
Elena says
the correct tweet https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/669289932192518144
latanya says
we stick to our routine of bath, story, song, and kiss goodnight
latanya says
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/669305663277760512
Lisa says
The remedies I use for putting a child to sleep are reading a story before bed and using a white noise machine.
Jeffrey says
Our oldest son was very difficult to put down at night, seemed as though he felt alone. We battled for a long time and finally won! Our routine consisted of a snack, warm bath and a bedtime story. It worked and we used it when the second bugger came along!
Jeffrey says
I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/669623259156103168.
D Schmidt says
I am pleased to say bedtime in my household is not a nightmare usually, only when my children are sick can it become challenging. My best tip is to have a set bedtime routine and stick to it.
Rebecca Graham says
Reading before bedtime helps to make bedtime easier.
Donna Marchlewski says
I own this book. It is excellent! No nightmares
BusyWorkingMama says
My daughter loves to read before bed. She also likes to have a “sound machine” that makes some white noise in the room.
Margot C says
I don’t really have nightmare kids bedtime stories, but I come from a long line of very bookish people and bedtime reading is not a new concept for us. We are capable of reading as many as 5 books (or for older kids chapters from longer books) before lights go out. Nobody gets too stressed. We also don’t watch tv, ever (that’s right, not at all – some streaming, movie DVDs, that’s it) not just kids, nobody – you have no idea how it changes your life.
Margot C says
I posted a tweet too: https://twitter.com/AnnaZed/status/671573357012234240
maria cantu says
No nightmare here, reading at bedtime works for us.
tina m says
we started our bedtime training when my son was 4 months. he cried for an hour!!! We have a bedtime routine now. Dinner, bath ,story time and bed time, my son goes to bed at 8 every day!
tina m says
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/672597482875052032
CR Williams says
my remedy is to limit screen time at least a few minuted before bed.
CR Williams says
tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysweetiepie/status/672628326624681984
Gina M says
Bedtime is not too bad at our house. We start with a bath, and that really calms him down.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Gina M says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/673226791478272000
Rebecca says
I think a consistent bedtime and bath before bed really helps my kids sleep well.
Rebecca says
https://mobile.twitter.com/michael64263870/status/673342036087603200
Susan Smith says
We take a bath, read and listen to music before bedtime.
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/673705560798322688
Please delete the previous tweet.
Kristen says
We just do a normal routine….teeth, pjs, book, nightlight…bedtime. 🙂
Kristen says
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/674367631802040320
erica best says
bath time works
erica best says
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/675183028231081984
Betty C says
My children are all adults now but I remember some very difficult nights. I found that when I eliminated daytime naps it was much easier for them to fall asleep at night.
Betty C says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/676138616825901056
Stephanie Phelps says
We use to have a horrible time of the kids getting up over and over again but now we have a routine we stick to and that is a nice bath with lavender and then story time usually is all it takes!
Stephanie Phelps says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/676140110988124160
Linda C. says
A warm, soothing bath right before bed always helped us.
Linda C. says
Tweeted https://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/676163001876094976
Shawn Gallagher says
Letting them run around and get tired themselves before bedtime
Shawn Gallagher says
https://twitter.com/Esham4life/status/676206243254419458
debbie says
Our kids are grown now but bedtime was always very consistent and really without too much trauma! We had a very established routine that always included reading.
debbie says
https://twitter.com/suburbsanity/status/676598231703375873
whitney lindeman says
My hubby and dog are so loud & twitchy at night, and I’m a very light sleeper! I use lavender and Peace & Calming in a diffuser along with nature sounds to help me get into a deeper sleep.
whitney lindeman says
Tweeted! 🙂
https://twitter.com/WhitSweeps/status/676611997027307521
Julie Wood says
I read books to my daughter to help her go to sleep, and she can not drink a lot of water before bed because she is always wanting to go to the bathroom. We also turn off the TV early so it does not bother her.
Julie Wood says
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/676793939588984832
Kerry says
Our 2 month old is already fighting sleep! A bath does help her sometimes.
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/676847284294955008
Amanda Sakovitz says
I find singing helps.
Amanda Sakovitz says
tweet
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/676868374861758468
ELIZA ELLIOT says
We wind down the activites of the house so things start to calm down
ELIZA ELLIOT says
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/676932821722791936
Seyma Shabbir says
Bedtime is a nightmare for me and my 2 sons. I set a routine but the kids fight it and hubby does not help.
Seyma Shabbir says
I find turning off all tv, noises, distractions help. But my hubby is the distraction LOL
Seyma Shabbir says
https://twitter.com/SeymaShabbir/status/676961799296720896
Tamara says
I always kept my kids calm and quiet for the last hour before bed, and reading a story aloud always helped them to sleep too.
Tamara says
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/pixel_berry_pie/status/676987163842633728
Denise L says
The Sleep Sheep by Cloud B was very effective when my son was little. It’s a great baby shower gift!
Denise L says
tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/676988439435325440
Thomas Murphy says
I read my son a story to get him to sleep.
Thomas Murphy says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/676990979778486273
Jerry Marquardt says
I hate those tornado dreams. I’ve used a fan to help drown out sound, and make it easier for them to go to sleep.
Jerry Marquardt says
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/677062666683158529
Kathryn C says
#SweepstakesEntry- comment
my only real bedtime nightmare is when dogs in the neighborhood are left outside to bark and bark and bark all night- can’t really control that except to turn the white noise machine full blast
Kathryn C
Kathryn C says
#SweepstakesEntry – tweet:
https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/677158089959804928
Kathryn C
angie says
I don’t have children but I remember that, when I was a kid, my mom set a strict bedtime hour and there was no budging on that, ever. She also made me sleep with the door open, so she could make sure I wasn’t in there playing. hahahah!
angie says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/677174198020780032
Karine Traverse says
Reading together or snuggling up to watch a movie or tv show
Karine Traverse says
Tweeted https://mobile.twitter.com/SAHMofDQ/status/677181767661584384
Tabathia B says
Sometimes to ward off nightmares I use a night light for her to be comfortable
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/677186709751222273
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
sandra says
dim lighting and music
Kathryn C says
please disregard my earlier tweet- here is corrected tweet: thank you!
#SweepstakesEntry tweet:
https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/677281487767605248
Kathryn C
WHITNEY says
I use soft tranquil music and it always helps kids to go to sleep.
WHITNEY says
I sent out a tweet: https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/677287709191213056
Barbara M says
We always had quiet time an hour before bedtime.
And we would read to the kids – that always worked for us.
thank you
Barbara M says
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/677288139547889664
Sarah L says
No kids, so no remedies.
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah L says
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/677290932589355008
Tamar Blanco says
Warm milk and prayers
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