Getting Your Child to Sleep Without Losing Your Mind

For many parents or sitters, bedtime for children can be quite stressful. It can sometimes take a whole evening just to put a child to bed. After endless requests for drinks of water and many trips to the bathroom, your patience is growing thin. Many children will try to stay awake as late as you allow them, but they are being deprived of much-needed sleep.

So what does a parent do to take control of this situation? A bedtime routine is a key. Having a consistent routine which your child is not going to be able to change or manipulate will prepare them for bedtime. Let's start with setting a time for bed. Many parents think that they can put children to bed late in hopes that they will sleep a little later. However, whatever time you put young children to bed, they often tend to wake up early. Set a time like 8:00 p.m. If a child is having a hard time getting to sleep they may be taking too long of a nap at preschool or home. You may want to check with the school to see how long they are napping.

A set bedtime will also give you a couple of hours to spend with older children and possibly with your spouse before going to bed. So your child's bedtime is set. About an hour before bedtime prepare your child by letting him or her know that bedtime is approaching. Give your child a warm bath. A bath aids in relaxation.

Some children try to put articles of daytime clothing back on after their bath. It's really better if you have soft, comfortable jammies for them. Next, you might want to read your child a bedtime story. Let them choose a book. Engage your child in the story. Sometimes a story stirs the child's imagination and he or she has comments or questions. As incidental as they may seem to you, these are important to the child, so be willing devote a few minutes to conversing after the story.

Now it's time for lights out. Though a child may say to leave the light on, turn it off-- sometimes a night light or hall light might be left on for the child's comfort. And don't fall into the habit of letting them fall asleep to the TV or a video.

If you follow these simple steps and be consistent your child should fall into the routine. And you will be well rested and calm as well!