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We have all been there. Going to sleep when wide awake, or trying to, then waking up struggling to get the day started.
Our generation did it as kids and now the next one does it as well. It is a hard circle to get out of. This cycle of restless sleep and sleepy exhaustion. It is only very recently there has been a clear emphasis on good sleeping habits.
“Everyone needs their beauty sleep”, is not just a cliche. It is a fact!
I stand by the immense role sleep plays in a healthy body and mind. Specially that of a growing child. Not just to keep one fit but also, in helping one during those many sick days.
Sleep plays a vital role in healing and growth.
My son has taken both parents’ sleep vices. Sleeping late and being a light sleeper. So I have always had a struggle getting him to and keeping him asleep. Leading to me being exhausted. Once I started doing the below steps to help him, it went a long way towards both my kids waking up with huge smiles with just a nudge!
‘Are you ready for brush?
Are you ready to put in bed your tush ?
Are you ready to put dreams in your eyes ?
Are you ready to say to mom goodnight ?’
Giggles aside, the kids went to bed happy and it really helped them look at bed time as fun rather than a chore that makes all the fun end.
How do we make sure kids wake up wide and dewy eyed every morning? How do we ensure they are ready for school with minimal coaxing ???
Hope the below help you as they have helped me.
Lots Of Activity During Evenings
Kids are bundles of energy that needs to power down before it can be recharged. And to discharge that energy every, single kid need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Thus it is highly important to get those wiggles out in inventive ways so they can head on to a direction for good sleep.
Summers are easier when you can let the kids out in the back yard or have a play date at the park. It takes a little extra effort during winters when you have to think up new ideas to get them engaged. Sure, it is hard work for every parent but so vital for the release of energy in ways that are conducive to exploration, creativity or just happy madness!
Wind Down Half Hour Before Bed Time
I would suggest this time is important to give your kids’ body and mind space to relax and signal that the fun is over. Now it is time to start slowing down. Meditate. In my home this time is usually when the kids just read or play board games or create with Lego.
Stick to Favorite Bed Time Routines
This can often be cumbersome but is very rewarding in teaching kids that there is a set path towards lights out and consequentially sleep.
They get so used to the idea of changing their clothes, getting to brush and then snuggle time for a set amount of time. (Don’t forget to include prepping for next morning.)
Prep for the Day, the Night Before
Make sure your child knows to have their clothes, bag, maybe even snack ready the night before. This is a wonderful precursor to learning goal setting and being prepared.
I suggest you follow these guidelines to decide when your kids should go to sleep. Make sure your set time is in accordance with your wind down time. So, for example, in our home kids have to sleep at 9:30 pm. So they hit their rooms for bed time at 9 pm.
Ask Your Child How They Would Like to be Woken
My son likes to be called to gently and my daughter likes me to hug her awake, me pulling the blanket off her. They both have chosen how they want to be woken up.
I have also observed that giving them a 5 min warning, let’s them feel like they had some extra sleep as well.
Time Your Mornings
Feeling rushed every morning. Time the amount of time it takes for your child to get through their morning routine, and add 5 mins to that.
Give Your Children Affirmations / Gratitude
Who has time, right? So, I just write them on a white board in their room. They wake up , read it. My little one sees the happy image I made and wakes up positive.
While they have breakfast or are getting ready, bring up something amazing that happened the day before. Let them start the day with a grateful heart.
Begin Your Day Hydrated
Milk or water. Make sure we all start the day on a positive
Say Bye with a Hug / Good Day
Wish them a good day. Make sure they do so till the time they aren’t running out the door.
Often us parents let go of routines, we create owning to outside circumstances. The anxiety and hyper activity in our own worlds creates a pause as we wonder how to get better sleep. What is more important is to set a time or signal that helps them know that resistance is futile!
In our home, for the longest time (when the kids were younger) we had the funniest song I made up.
Wishing your kids bright mornings full of positive radiance and new hope each day!
9 Responses
Love these tips – definitely want to use some of these when our baby gets a bit older!
These are such helpful tips for helping kids get a good night’s rest.
I definitely know that if I give myself extra time to wake up and energize for the day my kids will have an easier morning too.
These are great tips for helping kids go to sleep. Getting the energy out is very important. We typically have a fairly late bed time for our kids because it works for them. And this way we never have to deal with them being awake because they went to sleep too early.
These are great tips to give your kids control of their mornings. I know my kids hate being rushed in the mornings.
Yes! I agree with all of these points. My son is only three and we still do all of these steps to ensure happy mornings 🙂
We’ve been really working on the wind down 30 minutes before bed and it’s made a huge difference. Great tips!
I love the white board idea! One of my children naturally wakes up sunny-dispositioned, the other not so much. But since we recently got her a weighted blanket (which is helping her sleep more soundly), she wakes up much happier most days.
Bedtime is always stressful here. My son can be a pill.