There’s nothing quite like bedtime, the time that bonds parents and their little children through small, beautiful rituals like telling stories. Scientists agree that bedtime routines are largely composed of relational work that helps children grow their ability to communicate with others.
Bedtime activities can vary from reflecting on the day and things your child has learned, discussing dreams and wishes, or simply sharing a couple of interesting facts about the world that will spark a kid's imagination. On the other hand, it’s better not to touch upon sensitive and hard subjects, like goals for the future and negative things that may be hard on thoughts and prevent them from falling asleep.
When you think about it, the earlier bedtime rituals your family observes, the better your child’s ability to sleep will be. So what do you do when your child refuses to go to sleep? If your child is still awake past his bedtime, start by checking in with him. This will not only help you decide when it’s time to approach him about bedtime, it will give you a chance to practice the bedtime conversation.
Reflect on your child’s sleep issues to get to the root of the issue. Consider how his behavior might be related to his environment. Or maybe it’s just a phase. Then, brushing your teeth and putting on pajamas is another important step in getting ready for bedtime.
Giving your child a last drink of water and fixing their blankets is another step in establishing yourself as a caregiver. Most importantly, give them a good hug and never underestimate the power of telling them how much you love them. These are the things all of us would be happy to fall asleep with.
