| are many ways to get your kids ready for bed, but | | | | day. |
| how many of those ideas actually work out well? | | | | • Limit “active play” - before you |
| Getting children ready for bedtime can be a challenge | | | | put your child to sleep, try to limit any sort of activity |
| that very few of us have the patience to endure. Yet | | | | and slow things down two hours before bed. Start |
| here we are, night after night, attempting the impossible | | | | preparing your child for bed with a little bit of light |
| and trying to put our kids to bed without any trouble to | | | | reading, bedtime tasks such as brushing teeth and |
| allow them to rest comfortably for a peaceful sleep. | | | | other bedtime rituals like evening prayers or reading a |
| Avoiding the kicking, arguing, negotiating and fighting | | | | story. |
| can seem improbable at best. There has to be a | | | | • Customize a bedtime ritual – one of the |
| better way, right? | | | | best things you can do for your child is involve him or |
| Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to help | | | | her in the process of customizing their bedtime |
| the process of getting your kids ready for bed go a | | | | process. Have your child choose relaxing activities to |
| little bit better. There is no right or wrong way of | | | | do before bed that will help slow thoughts down and |
| performing the task, and your family needs to choose | | | | prepare for sleep. Once you pick things to do before |
| the method that works for you, not what works for | | | | bed with your child, ensure that you keep the order of |
| others. Feel free to experiment with some of the | | | | those activities the same each night. |
| suggestions to help make the process easier on you | | | | • Make your child comfortable – make |
| and your child. Sooner or later, you'll find that you will | | | | sure that your child is as comfortable as possible |
| have your child resting comfortably in his or her bed | | | | before bed. Any sleepwear should be comfortable |
| and drifting off to dreamland in style. | | | | and selected by the child, letting him or her choose a |
| • Set a routine – make sure that bedtime | | | | favorite stuffed animal or blanket is a good idea, and |
| is at the same time every night, and stick to a routine. | | | | the bed should be comfortable and suited specifically |
| When kids have a predictable bedtime routine and a | | | | for the child. |
| bedtime that is at the same time every night, even on | | | | Putting your child to bed properly can seem like a |
| weekends, they feel more comfortable and will adapt | | | | daunting and complicated task, but by setting up a |
| to a schedule quicker than if bedtime is sporadic and | | | | simple routine that you can duplicate each night, you |
| at all different times. | | | | can turn the once-difficult process into an enjoyable |
| • Plan weekend activities – plan activities | | | | experience of bonding between parent and child. Try |
| for your child on the weekends that will help them | | | | some of the above hints and ensure your child's |
| wake up at the same time. Provide lots of morning | | | | comfort each night by making sure the child has a |
| activities on days when there is no school or daycare | | | | comfortable bed to sleep in and a room that makes |
| and give kids a chance to build energy throughout the | | | | him or her feel at home. |