If only it was as easy to get our kids to bed as it is for our pets to catch a nap!
Here are your answers to: "How do you solve the bedtime struggle and get your little one to sleep as close to the first time asked as possible?"
- From Shelly: "We have a visiting 'treat fairy' (aka Tinker Bell) that brings treats during the night for little girls (and boys) who go to sleep good. The 'treat' can be anything: one jelly bean, M&M, toostie roll. We've left apples, breakfast bars or small gifts from the dollar store. We have a special 'treat fairy' bag that the 'treat fairy' leaves the treat in. In the morning, my daugther runs to see if the 'treat fairy' left a treat the night before. On the nights our daughter gives us a struggle – we 'call' the treat fairy to tell her not to come…and that usually does the trick to get her to listen and go to sleep!"
- From Trina: "Depending on how old the child is, one thing we have done is set a timer. When the times goes off, it is time to go to bed. (This also works for when it is time to get off the computer, or anything else there is a set limit on). We also have a set bedtime routine: go to the bathroom, brush teeth, read book, pray, lights out!"
- From Lesley: "I lay my 8-month-old son down in his bed between 8:00-8:30 p.m. every night, turn on his Musik Garten CD and off to sleepy land he goes!"
- From Stacey: "I love the treat fairy idea. I tried with my 3 and 5-year-old sons and they have gone to bed instantly the past two nights. In fact, it worked when settling a dispute about which bed they were going to sleep in and to get them to move beds. I suggested that we see if the treat fairy could find them in different beds. Love it."
- From Kim: "I have one who goes to bed like a dream and sleeps 11 hours a night without fail. However, she needs the quiet music CD on, the fan and her blankie. My other child? Well, that's another story, and we have tried most everything over the years. She's just a night owl and will play in room on her bed for an hour or so past bedtime, just chatting to herself! What works best? Having a day full of activity so when it is bedtime she is worn out and can't fight it!"
