Parenting Tip Toddler Discipline | Bedtime Battles Or Bedtime Bliss?

Here's the bedtime problem: your child does not want to go to bed but you want him to... desperately. Here's another problem: you finally get them to bed and they keep coming out of their room. By the time they finally go to sleep you're exhausted and ready for bed now yourself. If this sounds too familiar, try these ideas:

First of all, if you don't have a kiddie bedtime routine, you should begin one. Ideally you should start it when your child is a baby, but it's not too late to start now. A routine establishes bedtime habits that follow the same pattern and order every night. As your child becomes accustomed to the nighttime ritual, he knows what to expect and what is expected of him.

Your routine should start with letting your child know it's almost bedtime. Show her the clock and explain that when the big hand is straight up, it's time for bed. Or you can set a timer to go off when it's time. This makes the clock the bad guy, not you. If your child still dawdles, escort her to the bathroom to start her bedtime routine. Don't agree to 10 more minutes or you've just negated the whole timer thing.

Make sure your child isn't doing something stimulating right before bed, such as wrestling or horsing around with Dad. Also, get rid of distractions; turn the TV off and perhaps send older brother to read in his own room.

Your bedtime routine should work for you, but this is usually the time for a warm bath, teeth brushing, and then tucking in with a favorite book. If you know your child will want something to eat, build that into the front end of the routine. Ditto going to the bathroom again and getting a drink of water for the second time. Start the whole process with enough time so that you aren't rushing through.

Another part of the ritual may be listening to soothing classical music or singing a comforting lullaby. Special good nights are in order too. "Good night, sleep tight, I love you no matter what, you're snug as a bug in a rug!"

In the beginning your child may still get up, but if he doesn't get any satisfaction from it he'll tire of that ploy. Remember, you are in charge. Put them firmly back to bed with little interaction.

Bedtime is an opportunity to spend quality quiet time bonding with your child, and a routine can give you this pleasant time as long as you stick to it and ride out any rough beginnings.

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