Article by littlebugstore.com
We all have routines in our lives. They help us get through the day and make sure we don’t forget anything. But do you ever think about creating a nighttime routine for your children?
Create a routine that works for your family.
The key to creating a routine that works for your family is to figure out what works for you.
There are no hard and fast rules here: some families have elaborate bedtime rituals, while others keep things simple. Some kids need time in the tub right before bed; others can go right from playing with friends to brushing their teeth and climbing into pajamas without batting an eye. As long as it feels natural and comfortable for all involved, there's no wrong way to do it!
Establish a bedtime routine to help wind down.
When it comes to your child's bedtime routine, the more you can do to make it fun and engaging, the better. A good way of doing this is by incorporating some kind of stretching or meditation into the process. You might also want to read them a book or tell them a story before turning off their lights (this is particularly helpful if you have an older child who doesn't want anything else). If your kid likes music, consider playing soothing songs on their iPod during this time as well; it'll help them relax even further and get ready for sleep.
If your child has trouble falling asleep at night because he or she gets anxious about going under the covers on his own--or maybe even just transitioning from awake mode into sleep mode--you might want try reading him/her a bedtime story while sitting next to him/her in bed until he falls asleep! This way there's no pressure placed upon either party involved: no pressure on him because there isn't any expectation placed upon him regarding how long he needs stay awake after turning off his light switch; no pressure on mommy because she won't feel rushed while trying figure out what works best when dealing with her own stressed-out nerves after spending hours trying come up with ideas like these ones right here :)
Include a consistent bedtime snack.
If you want your child to get a good night's sleep, it's important that they eat dinner at least two hours before bedtime. The right kind of food can actually help them get sleepy faster and stay asleep longer.
The best thing to serve up is a carbohydrate-rich snack that contains some protein and fat--this helps keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day and night, which helps prevent grogginess in kids who wake up at night thirsty or hungry (and also keeps them from waking up because they're hungry). An example: whole grain toast with peanut butter on top!
For older children who are able to drink milk independently at night, make sure their glass isn't too large; less than 6 ounces should do the trick for most kids this age. But don't forget about younger ones who still need help drinking from cups--here are some tips for teaching them how!
Create a relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom.
The bedroom should be a place where your child feels safe and comfortable. To create this atmosphere, try these tips:
Use a nightlight so that your child can see when they wake up at night. This will also help them feel less scared if they wake up in the dark without you there to guide them back to sleep.
Use white noise (such as a fan) to drown out any noises from outside of your home or from within it--the hum of an air conditioner and other household appliances can be distracting for kids who need complete silence when they're trying to fall asleep!
Let them choose a special blanket or stuffed animal that they'll use every night while sleeping; this helps establish routines around bedtime rituals so that everyone knows what comes next when getting ready for bed each night! It also gives parents another opportunity to teach children about self-care through healthy habits such as hygiene practices like brushing teeth before going into bed so no one wakes up feeling groggy tomorrow morning!
Make it fun! Find ways for your kids to be active before bedtime.
You want to make sure your kids are tired enough to sleep. This means they should be active during the day, but not so exhausted that they can't fall asleep when it's time for bed. Try playing games or doing fun activities with them in the afternoon or early evening, then put them right down for a nap when they're starting to get tired (about an hour before bedtime).
Play outside! A walk around the block is good exercise and helps build up their energy reserves so they'll have more left over at night
Bike ride! Riding bikes around town gives kids a chance to explore new places while getting some fresh air and sunshine
Dance party! Music has been shown time and again as being able to calm people down--especially children--so why not turn up some tunes on Spotify? If possible, set aside an entire evening specifically for dancing together as a family.
Your child will be more likely to succeed if they have a regular bedtime routine that they enjoy
It's important to note that your child will be more likely to succeed if she has a regular bedtime routine that she enjoys. This can include anything from a bath, brushing teeth and reading stories together at night--to something as simple as having a snack together before bed.
As long as it works for your family (and isn't causing behavioral issues), it's fine for the routine to vary from day-to-day—but it should always be consistent so that your child knows what's coming next!
If you want your child to have a regular bedtime routine, you need one too! If you don't have one yet and are struggling with getting your child into a good sleep pattern, start by creating an enjoyable evening routine for both of you. Then look at what time will work best for everyone involved--including siblings or other caregivers who may need some extra help getting ready for bedtime too. Finally, consider setting up a reward system so everyone in the family stays motivated throughout this process
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