How to get your kids to go to bed more easily at night

Bedtime; it’s either a parents dream at the end of a long day or a nightmare depending on who you ask.

Getting your kids to go to bed at night can be a challenge, especially if they’ve had unsavory bedtime habits from day one.

But, bedtime doesn’t have to be the most dreaded part of the day – it can actually be quite peaceful and relaxing (for both parents and kids!).

With nearly a decade of bedtime experience with 3 boys of varying personalities, I’ve experienced many ways that help and hinder good bedtime habits.

Over the years, I have come up with a simple, yet effective, list of ways to help promote healthy bedtime habits that benefit everyone.

If you want to know how to get your kids to bed at night more easily, then keep on reading.

It’s more simple than you might think!

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Start a routine

This should be the very first step to creating good bedtime habits for kids and getting them to bed more easily at night.

As humans, we thrive on routine, it’s what makes us more efficient at what we do.

And children are no different. In fact, I’d be willing to say that children need routine even more than adults do – as a mother I have personally witnessed all 3 of my children go through schedule changes and routine breaks (and it’s not pretty).

Ever get cranky or out of sorts when you come home from a vacation or a trip away from home?

That’s because your schedule was out of whack and you need time to adjust back to normal. So, by setting a bedtime routine, your kids can learn how to settle more easily at night and know what and when to expect it.

This routine can be as simple as getting pajamas on, brushing teeth, and reading a story.  Check out my personal favorite list of bedtime books for all ages to enjoy here.

Or, it can be as complex as the above mentioned, plus a bath, story time, and other relevant nighttime rituals.

Whatever you decide to do in your routine, make sure you make it a routine and follow through on this every night. Over time, your kids will know what to expect and will settle down more easily at bedtime, resulting in better sleep habits.

 

Start an hour before bed

Kids have a lot of energy (did I really need to point that out?) so it’s best to start your routine well before laying them in their beds at night.

If you have them rush through bedtime rituals in just a few short minutes, how can you expect their energy to wind down to the point of settling and falling asleep?

Kids need to be given a chance to slow down and ‘cool their jets’ so-to-speak.

Starting your routine well ahead of their actual bedtime will help them calm down and get more into bedtime mode which will led to an easier bedtime.

Think about how you go to bed.

Do you just jump out of your clothes, rapidly brush your teeth, and then hop into bed and expect to fall asleep right away?

I’m betting NOT.

I am sure you do things (you may not even realize) each night before you go to bed. Take a shower or bath, sip a cup of tea, read, brush your teeth, and perhaps lay out an outfit for the following morning.

Kids need the same care. So start ahead of time so you can ensure that they are fully primed for a better bedtime experience!

 

Create a calm atmosphere

Creating a bedtime routine also goes hand-in-hand with creating a bedtime environment.

If you desire your kids to settle peacefully at night, then help promote this behavior by setting them up for success.

This can easily be done by turning down the lights, removing all distracting noises (TV, music, computers, etc.), and promoting calm activity (I know you mothers of boys are having a good chuckle right now).

We do this by dimming the lights and removing all distractions – including siblings if necessary.

We have each boy pick out a few books to look at and read  in their own beds and only have bedside lights on (overheads DON’T promote sleepy bedtime vibes).

In the summer, when it’s still light out at 9pm (and our bedtime routine starts at 7:30), we draw curtains in the bedrooms to darken the atmosphere.

This year we invested in these blackout curtains for all the bedrooms and they have been a huge game-changer for bedtime and promoting great sleep habits – not to mention they are great quality and very affordable. Double win!

With creating a calm atmosphere, you are setting your kids up for success and you’ll soon reap the benefits too!

 

Avoid screen time

Screen time is just another vocabulary word tossed around willy nilly these days, but did you know that screens can affect your child’s sleeping habits?

There have been studies that show using blue screens before bed hinders good sleep habits – for both children and adults.

The screens hinder good sleep habits because they suppress melatonin production (the sleep hormone that regulates sleep cycles) and makes it harder for you to fall asleep, stay asleep, and get a good night’s sleep altogether.

Blue screens include most current TVs, smartphones, and tablets.

While this bedtime tip might not be what you are looking for, it could actually be doing a lot more damage to your kids bedtime habits than you might think.

We stop using devices in our home at least 1 hour before bedtime, and sometimes longer, depending on the day.

Instead of TV or screen time, try to promote active play before you start your bedtime routine. This helps burn up those last bits of energy your kids might have stored and also helps to tire them before bed – making it a win for all!

It might be tough at first, but avoiding screens the last few hours of the day might make all the difference!

 

Say no to sugar

Sugar, it’s what kids are made of, right?

While they might be sweet on their own (or sour depending on the kid) sugar does not make them extra sweet, and is actually very problematic for a good bedtime routine.

Why?

Sugar elevates the blood sugar and excites the body, making it near impossible to calm down before bed.

Not only that, studies have shown that eating higher amounts of sugar & saturated fats during the day leads to less deep sleep – the sleep you need to feel rested.

If dessert is part of your daily routine, try cutting back or indulging earlier, rather than later.

In our house, we rarely have dessert (especially after dinner) and when we do, it’s at least 2 hours before our bedtime routine which gives our kids plenty of time to burn off that sugar and bunker down for bed.

If you really don’t want to give up that pre-bedtime snack, try offering a healthier option instead.

Fresh fruit, yogurt, or applesauce with cinnamon make a great desert alternative and don’t affect the body in the same manner as processed sugary sweets.

If you truly want your kids to go to bed faster and without a fight, try to implement this important step!

 

Have a last call

Now that your bedtime-ready kiddos are all set and tucked in for bed, you start hearing every excuse in the book to get up.

“I need a glass of water”

“I have to go to the bathroom”

“I want more stuffed animals”

The list of excuses to NOT turn off the light seems endless at this point.

So, if you want to avoid this troublesome cycle, make sure all of your child’s needs are met before they head to bed.

Remind them to get everything in order and offer one last chance to do so before hopping in bed. This will help prepare them better and will warrant no excuses to avoid bedtime.

If your kids start asking for the same things after their needs have already been met, then you know it’s not about the act they are asking for, but rather putting off something they don’t want to face.

Nighttime can be lonely, scary, and troublesome for some kids, so be patient when trying to figure out the deep root of the problem.

If they are afraid of the dark, try offering an extra animal to cuddle or a night light that they love.

This soft night light is a huge hit with our toddler. It’s easy for him to turn on and off and it since it’s soft, he can also keep it in bed with him.

If needed, you might even offer to stay with your child for some extra snuggles and assurance that it’s okay to fall asleep – some kids just need the extra comfort.

Remember, if you want to create a positive bedtime experience, try putting yourself in your child’s shoes to ensure they feel fully confident and prepared to go to sleep

Creating good sleeping habits and getting your kids to bed more easily at night doesn’t have to be complicated.

Although a routine can seem redundant, you’ll soon find it to be the solution you’ve been looking for!

The best thing you can do at bedtime is to stay consistent – and if that doesn’t work – trying tweaking your bedtime routine until you find something that does.

Do you have trouble getting your kids in bed at night? How do you think these tips will help your bedtime rituals???

Start the discussion below to share your experience with us & the other Moms in our community!