Mum, just one more story
Often, it can feel like the bedtime routine drags on for so long with requests of just one more story, an extra cuddle, a drink, or even multiple trips to the bathroom just as you are about to leave your child’s room. They soon become experts in the art of stalling! As much as we love reading to our children and showering them with cuddles and kisses, it can sometimes feel like we can never leave their room at bedtime with request upon request. Bedtime resistance from little ones can be a struggle for parents as it is so hard to refuse these requests. Not only does this mean that bedtime is delayed, which can inevitably result in insufficient sleep for the child, but it can be a tiresome process for parents, too.
Bedtime battles tend to become a common occurrence when babies mature into little people with minds of their own. Usually, they occur due to children beginning to assert their independence and test the boundaries, and sometimes due to anxieties such as being afraid of the dark and having nightmares. Some children fight sleep because they are simply not tired enough and have outgrown their current sleep schedule. Recognising why your little one may be battling bedtime will help to rectify the situation and nip it in the bud. It is then advisable to re-evaluate the evening routine and have a plan of action.
All children benefit from wind-down time before the bedtime routine begins. This helps them to relax and process their thoughts, as well as reduce their cortisol levels in preparation for sleep. Another recommendation is for your child to avoid using electronic devices such as iPads and televisions in the last 60 minutes before bedtime. The blue light emitted from these devices can inhibit melatonin production and hence negatively impact sleep.
It can be beneficial to set a bedtime plan. Bedtime preparations can be conducted beforehand so that you can efficiently work through the evening routine with your little one. You can discuss the bedtime routine with your child before you begin so that they know the boundaries, how many books, for example, will be read to them, and exactly what to expect. It is all about empowering your child to be responsible, understanding bedtime boundaries, and maintaining consistent expectations between you and them. This will help your little one stay in their own bed and reduce the time they take to sleep. Another technique that may be helpful is to offer your child a fixed number of bedtime passes per night. The pass can be used at any time during the night for an extra hug, for example. This method is beneficial as it can stop your child from getting out of bed multiple times during the night with their requests once they have used up their passes.
By applying these simple approaches and modifications, you can establish good sleep practices and tackle the evening routine more effectively so that bedtime with your precious little one becomes easy breezy!
​