Tips To Get Your Kids To Sleep!

Sleepless In The Suburbs by Laurel A. Crossley-Byers

You put the children to bed, you settle in for a little self-indulgent me time and out of nowhere come Thing 1 and Thing 2 saying, “we can’t sleep Mom”, or “we need  you Mom!” or words to that effect – cue the Mom Guilt. So, you patiently trundle them off to bed again with a hope and a prayer, repeat this 7, 583 times more until everyone’s so exhausted they just sleep where they fall! And you vow, that will never happen again! Sound familiar or like I’m living in your house??

Have you ever noticed what weird things you say and do when sleep-deprived? Things like putting your wallet in the fridge, calling your pets your children’s names or forgetting everything?!? So you can just imagine what it does to your kiddo’s behaviour if they are NOT sleeping! Sleep is one of THE most important things that we need to do to support overall health and well-being!  So here are Auntie Laurel’s tips on getting those wee ‘uns to Nodsville without the drama!

DNA “Drag”

Yep it’s true! Some of us are genetically predisposed to sleeplessness and when I work with my clients’ parents, and do a bit of digging, sleeplessness often runs in families. One of my clients is the third generation of non-sleepers and he’s six!  These “Cats” have crazy-busy minds that just won’t shut off! So, what does Auntie Laurel recommend – distraction! Find some lovely relaxation music played softly to assist in relaxing your kids – repeat the same song over and over until they fall asleep from boredom. Establish a bedtime routine and include music as the background – start playing it while the children are getting ready for bed and during story time.

Turn Off and Tune Out!

Bedrooms are notoriously “exciting” filled rooms of pleasure for kids – tons of toys, oodles of electronic devices, lots of light.  Now I am not talking completely redecorate the bedroom for the sake of sleep BUT I am saying out of sight, out of mind so move the LOUD noise providers to another room, space or put them in the closet. And absolutely, never, EVER have a television or computer in your Kiddo’s bedroom.  Bedrooms are a place to induce sleep not entertain.

Strength In Numbers – Rally The Troops!

Why oh why and how do the kiddos know how to form armies complete with arsenals of weaponry to “take down” the Parental Units?  Because they CAN and because they have warfare like no other – they use GUILT!  So, time to retaliate Parental Units!! Establish your weakest link (you know the one, the Lingerer who cannot bear to leave that kiddo’s 999th question unanswered 😉 That Parent is hereby on Kitchen Duty and must leave the nighttime routine to the strongest link. Mr. or Mrs. Tough Nut will be the one to establish and enforce the bedtime rules.

RULES?!?! – WE don’t need no Stinkin’ Rules!!

Oh YES “WE” DO!! Bedtime rituals and rules are just like household rules. Bedtime routines NEED to be consistent and pleasant – inducing relaxation. No frolicking, no tickling, no 8 million glasses of water, no screaming, no tantrums.   All kid behaviour is learned so the more frustrated you are, the worse the bedtime situation will be – it’s as simple as that! Ever noticed when you are calm how well behaved your Children are – hmmmmm! So, behave parents! Now tiptoe down the stairs and high five your co-parent QUIETLY and celebrate your Sleeping Success!

P.S.  If those Kiddos are still giving you trouble, I have a few more “tricks” up my sleeve!

Love, Hugs and Sweet Dreams!

xxxooo Auntie Laurel

Laurel A. Crossley-Byers, B. A., is a Life Coach, Parent Educator, Founder of Opti-Mom and Opti-MomTV and TV Host for MomU!  To date, she has spoken to tens of thousands of people on her philosophy of Living a Balanced Life mind, body and spirit. Her workshops, seminars and speaking have enlightened, motivated and inspired Women to make tremendous personal and professional shifts. Laurel has recently begun Coaching Children with Sleep, Anxiety and Self-Esteem.  Visit her website or follow her on Twitter.