Parenting is like a roller coaster: full of ups and downs and the ride of your life! One of the downsides can be figuring out how to get your kids to go to bed without a fight every night. Fortunately, when you play it smart, your bedtime routine can go from the worst part of the day to something everyone looks forward to. Here’s how!
Get Them in the Habit
Kids might shuffle their feet when it comes to doing things they don’t want to do, but in spite of their protests, they really do thrive on routine. It gives children a sense of security when they know what to expect from the day. Bedtime is no different. By creating a bedtime routine that you follow as closely as possible each day, the tasks that used to cause a big fuss will turn into habits. As soon as your kids know that their bedtime routine is non-negotiable, they will stop protesting it.
Make it Fun
Just because something has to be done, doesn’t mean you can’t make it fun. Family life is crazy busy. Between running errands and driving kids to and from school and other activities, there is very little time left for relaxing together. If you can find a little space in your bedtime routine for some one-on-one time with your kids, it will quickly become their favorite time of the day! Take some time to read a book together, sing a song, or just cuddle and talk. You can also turn tasks like toothbrushing into a fun activity with an exciting toothbrush flavor or an electric toothbrush. As a side benefit, electric toothbrushes can be more effective at cleaning your teeth.
Use a Reward System
Reward systems are great for motivating kids to do things they otherwise try to get out of. By establishing a reward system, you give your kids a meaningful reason to do boring things like bathing and toothbrushing. There are many ways to do this. One popular way is to keep a chart in the bathroom and let your child place a sticker for each day they complete their routine. After a certain number of days, they can earn a reward like an outing with you or a new book.
You shouldn’t have to wrangle your kids into bed every night. Believe it or not, getting ready for bed can be a fun time for the entire family. Play your cards right and, before you know it, your kids will be excited for bedtime!
Check out this article on red flags you should watch out for in teens!
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