5 Steps To a Positive Kid Bedtime Routine
5 Steps To a Positive Kid Bedtime Routine
Bedtime is a challenge for most families. To convince our kids to go to bed, we have to contend with their wants for a drink of water or one more tale (and stay there).
As the youngsters are in some way revving up in the evening, the majority of parents with children are typically running on fumes. Simple things like brushing their teeth, donning their jammies, and grabbing a glass of water can escalate into a drama that irritates and frustrates us all. Not exactly the best environment for sleep!
One of the most frequent issues pediatricians hear about is sleep issues. Their go-to recommendation for a fix? A regular night time regimen.
But what if bedtime routines could do more than just help kids sleep? Bedtime routines can actually help us forge a strong bond with our children in just a few easy steps, while also fostering a growth mentality in the children.
Following Five Suggestions Can Help You and Your Baby
Have a Quiet and Fulfilling Experience Before Bed
1. Start With Yourself
Hit pause before starting the bedtime routine. You may have never slowed down until today. If so, the change from daylight to night is the ideal time!
When you pause, you frequently experience a sense of desperation to finish getting everyone to bed so that you may finally unwind and enjoy some alone time. Once you are aware of this, you can deliberately decide to start your bedtime routine with a different attitude—one of peaceful presence as opposed to rushing.
The “3 Center Check-In” is a quick technique for practising this method. Building a relationship with your “whole self” is the goal of this technique (mind, feelings, and body).
We advise you to close your eyes and take a few full, deep breaths before starting. Then simply, like a beam of light, move your attention within and concentrate on each of these three areas:
Head-What am I thinking? What am I aware of in my mind? Notice the words or voices and just allow whatever is there.
Heart-What am I feeling? What am I aware of in my heart? Imagine you can breathe in and out of your heart.
Body-What am I sensing? What sensations am I aware of in my body? Notice what’s happening in your body now.
Allow your eyes to open and readjust to the room after you’ve finished checking in. Congratulations! You’ve just given yourself some well-earned time off, and you’ve probably changed your perspective as well.
2. Creating a Soothing Environment
Think of simple physical cues you can use, like turning down the lights, putting away technology for the evening, or lighting a candle. In fact, any effort you make to reduce artificial illumination would be beneficial.
While the environment’s impact on our sense of sight is the most significant component influencing sleep, you should think about appealing to all five of your child’s senses for a greater effect:
Sight: low lighting, candles, reading an illustrated narrative about development mentality
Touch: a warm bath, rubbing back, or cuddle.
Smell: lotions, aromatherapy devices, essential oils, and lavender shampoo
Sound: White noise, calming music, whispered conversation, lullabies
Taste: a mindful sip of cool water, notice the taste and sensation of toothpaste
These environmental changes collectively convey the strong message that it is time for relaxation.
3. Bedtime Connecting Through Rituals
We already know that having family rituals and routines can strengthen relationships, lower stress levels, and even enhance social skills. Routines also offer predictability, which is important for helping kids feel secure and prepared for bed.
As you tuck your child(ren) in, focus on each body part from head to foot, bringing attention and gratitude to our bodies for the hard work they do for us. Your ritual should begin with bathtime, brushing teeth, and a few stories.
4. Focusing On The Positives Only
When it comes to our children, how we as parents talk and think about them at bedtime affects how they behave.
Parenting expert Avital Schreiber Levy explains how her subconscious views harmed her son’s ability to sleep. It was challenging to understand his abilities when she referred to him (and herself) as a “difficult sleeper.”
Both of their evenings got better once Schreiber Levy “began to think of him as someone who knows his own body, and who will rest it when it needs it.”
Make a list of encouraging bedtime affirmations with your children to help them transition to a growth mentality.
5. Let Your Kid Own The Routine
The ideal night regimen cannot be prescribed. Additionally, it’s possible that your family already practises several virtues.
Discuss what is already working effectively as a family. Encourage your children to participate by emphasizing that “quality time” with each child only occurs when the routine is followed by all. The likelihood that youngsters will fight going to bed (and you) lowers significantly when they take responsibility for this step.
We hope the above article will be helpful when you begin creating a bedtime routine for your kid(s). To further enhance your child’s bedtime routine, visit the Adelie kid’s shop and check out our products.
Adelie Stories- Dreamy Illustrations, Kid’s sleepwear set, Adelie- Hugsy| sleepy penguin are just some of our best-selling products that your kid is definitely going to love and want before/during their bedtime.
