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Pet of the Day: June 10, 2022
Published: 2022-06-10 08:00:00 Updated: 2022-06-10 08:00:00
Posted June 10, 2022 8:00 a.m. EDT
Dinner has been eaten and the table cleared. Perhaps you’ve had some time to ride bikes outside or play Duplo. The clock strikes 7 p.m., and it is time to go upstairs for bath and bedtime. It is the time for calm bodies, quiet play and pre-bedtime snuggles. Except that your kid takes that cue to release a decade worth of crazies – nonstop giggles, running, jumping, throwing and general over-excitement – the enemy of a peaceful bedtime routine. I’m gonna take a broad swing and say it’s not just our house.
I want to clarify at this point that I am just another mom in the trenches. These tips have all been sourced from professionals (parent counselors, occupational therapists, child psychologists) and have been implemented to varying degrees to help conquer the pre-bedtime crazies in our house.
Consider pushing bedtime a little earlier. A few different sleep consultants have said this behavior sounds an awful lot like an overtired child. Even just 15 minutes might make all the difference. Full disclosure: This is the hardest thing for us to implement.
Make sure they have enough opportunities to get energy out throughout the day. Especially now that the weather is warmer, I try to get the kids out immediately after dinner to run around, ride bikes, jump on the trampoline and be silly. This release will most often mean a quieter bedtime routine. I’ve definitely had friends say that the quieter days spent at home will make for a horrible bedtime.
Build choices into your bedtime routine. Do you want to use soap or shampoo first? Do you want to go potty before or after the bath? Do you want me to pick out your clothes or do you want to pick them out yourself? Building choices into the routine gives them a sense of control and also keeps them using their executive function as opposed to what we call the lizard brain.
Try getting in some “heavy work” just before bedtime. Heavy work is any activity that pulls or pushes against the body. It engages a sense called proprioception, or body awareness, and can help children calm their bodies. Some of our favorite heavy work activities are animal walks, pushing a full laundry basket, carrying weights (usually 3 lbs), pushing a vacuum cleaner or toy stroller, and playing with theraputty.
Consider a visual, interactive bedtime schedule. This will activate their executive function and again, keep them out of the dreaded lizard brain. My oldest daughter (5 at the time) and I sat down together, talked through the bedtime schedule and picked out pictures for each step. I then laminated the schedule and used Velcro for each of the stages so she can move a picture over to the done column as we make our way through the bedtime routine. She was so excited to move the pictures over that it really helped to move the evening along.
Get a visual clock to teach about time. If bathtime is between 7 and 7:30 p.m., you can color that section of the clock blue and teach them that this is the time that we’re in the bath. If they take too long in any one section, it may take away from other things, like storytime.
Consistency is key. Stay true to your routine and firm with the rules.
In parenting, I pride myself in being very proactive. If we have a challenge, I will try anything and everything to overcome it. This list is just a taste of that. but if there are other suggestions out there, I am open. I am so tired from a long day come bedtime that my patience is non-existent and bedtime crazies are the last thing I want to deal with.
Nili Zaharony is a Go Ask Mom contributor. She is the mom to 3 little ones (ages 5, 3, and 7 months) who keep her constantly on her toes.
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