Before a parent can even finish saying, “Okay, kids, time to get ready for bed,” their stall tactics begin. And no one’s better at stalling than a kid at bedtime. While they are masters at their skill, you can still beat them at their own game, or at least make it work for you. These tips can help you actually get your kids to bed on time-ish.
- Start earlier and incorporate stalling into the routine - Child development experts agree that kids need routine, so if they drag out bedtime by an extra half hour, start earlier to account for that. Include all the time they need to get another sip of water, another round of kisses, and those last-minute meltdowns over not being able to find “the right” stuffed animal.
- Cover the non-negotiables first - Motivate your little ones to endure the necessities, like brushing teeth and washing up, with whatever they prize most before bedtime. It could be a bedtime story, being able to choose more than one book, extra snuggle time, whatever they’re into, let them know there won’t be time to do it unless they’re ready for bed by whatever time.
- Stay calm and try not to rush them - No one likes being rushed, even your four-year-old. And if you roll up barking, “Bedtime! Now!” it may end in a bedtime battle. So give them warning that bedtime is coming and if it helps, give them a countdown - 30 minutes, 15, then five - to make it easier for them to accept and deal with.
- Try a checklist or a sticker chart - Tools that help them visualise what needs to be done and lets them see their progress can be a good motivator.
- Use a timer - Kids have no idea how time works until they’re seven or so, but a timer can help. You can set it for time to put on PJs, brush teeth, read or have a chat or a cuddle.
- When all else fails, walk away - If you have a next-level ultimate staller on your hands who holds you hostage with their nonsense questions and breakfast order for the next morning, sometimes the best thing to do is walk away. Not in an angry way, just an “I’m going to bed now” kind of way. They may put up a fight or cry, but the next night? They’ll probably only put up half the fight.
Source: Lifehacker
Photo: Getty Images