The scenario: You're tired of the whining, crying and complaining, so you give up and let your child fall asleep in front of the TV or just let him/her run around until he/she falls asleep somewhere in the house.
The solution: Bedtime battles can test a parent's resolve. Still, it's important to hang in there. You might need to be patient — and ignore whines, cries and pleas — but it's never too late to teach your child good sleeping habits. If your child is pushing the limits, state your expectations and stick to the routine. Eventually, your consistency will pay off in a good night's sleep for everyone. REMEMBER not to lose your patience. The bedtime problem is ONLY TEMPORARY. Take a TIME OUT if necessary and return with a clear mind!
THE PROBLEM - your frustrated with your child's bedtime problems
The scenario: Your child wakes up during the night and won't fall asleep again without your help.
The solution: If your child wakes up during the night, give him or her a few minutes to settle down. If time alone doesn't do the trick, you might go to your child's room and offer calm reassurance. Then tell your child that it's time to sleep and leave the room. Wait longer each night to go to your child's side, until eventually your child falls back to sleep without your help.
THE PROBLEM - your child WAKES UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
The scenario: Your child's bedtime is 8:30 p.m., but by the time he or she is ready for bed it's usually past your bedtime.
The solution: If your child isn't tired at bedtime, you might be fighting a losing battle. Try scaling back daytime naps or rousing your child earlier in the morning. You can also put your child to bed a few minutes earlier every night until you're back to the original bedtime. Whatever time you put your child to bed, remember to stick to a calming bedtime routine. Taking time to wind down might help your child fall asleep
THE PROBLEM - your child STAYS UP TOO LATE
The scenario: You put your child to bed, only to find him or her trailing you down the hall.
The solution: Don't let bedtime become a power struggle. When your child's bedtime routine is complete and he or she is comfortable, remind your child that there's no reason to get out of bed. If your child gets up, promptly return him or her to bed — repeatedly, if necessary. You may have to shut the door or put up a gate or barrier.
THE PROBLEM - your child won't STAY IN HIS OR HER BED
THE PROBLEM - your child won't fall asleep alone
.
THE PROBLEM - your child doesn't want to go to bed
The solution: Even if you need to rearrange your own schedule, it's important to make bedtime a priority. A predictable, calming bedtime routine is often the key to a good night's sleep.
What's in the bedtime routine is up to you. You might give your child a warm bath, brush his or her teeth, read a few stories and say bedtime prayers. Each night, you might praise your child for a specific accomplishment or describe something that makes you proud of your child. If you play bedtime music, play the same songs every night — and select other tunes for daytime music. Then tuck your child snugly into bed and say good night. Experiment to find what works best for you — but once you settle on a routine, follow the same sequence of events at the same time and in the same order every night.
THE PROBLEM - BEDTIME IS CHAOTIC
►Giving Children a Sugar Rush - Don't give children candy, gummies, anything that will give children a sugar rush before bedtime.
►Not Having a Routine - Having a routine helps children know it is time to get ready to go to sleep.
►Craziness Before Bedtime - Have calming activities at least 30 minutes before bedtime to help children wine down from a day’s excitement.
►Parents Lose their Patience - Typically when children are asleep parents have alone time or down time to relax. It can get frustrated when things are not turning out to plan but you have to remember that Bedtime Problems are only temporary and if you follow the advice below you will succeed in the bedtime struggle!!
PLEASE take a TIME OUT if you feel you are losing your temper and come back with a clear mind
Bedtime shouldn't be a battle. Consider these common bedtime problems — and what to do about them. The result could be a good night's sleep for the entire family. First, the most common mistakes parents make before putting children to bed - AVOID THE FOLLOWING: