Bed Time

Children often don't want to go to bed and the continual battle night after night is draining, causing many parents to just give up and allow children to stay up later. Don't fall into this trap!

A bedtime for children is good for them as well as for their parents! That's the time my wife and I talk about our day, talk about the week ahead. I can really tell when we don't get this time, our relationship suffers! Enforcing bedtime though, means extra work for a while. Here are some suggestions for working with young children to make bedtimes work more effectively.

1) Start the bedtime routine earlier so that it doesn't all get crammed into the last few minutes. If bedtime is 8:00 pm then start the routine at 7:30 by getting on pajamas and completing a bathroom routine.
2) At bedtime, tuck each child in individually. Use this time to continue to debrief about the day in preparation for a good night sleep and pleasant dreams. My wife and I like to end the day with a prayer thanking God for another day. Kids need to hear that attitude of gratitude from parents!
3) Enforce quietness. A child may not feel tired so lying quietly is all you need to require.
4) If a child gets up or calls out. Quickly, calmly, and firmly, get the child back in bed with as little dialogue as possible. This is NOT time to negotiate!
5) Hang in there, be consistent, and invest in the self-discipline development of your child. You and your children will benefit from the work you put into the process.


What are some ideas you've found helpful to teach your children self discipline at bedtime?