Each night it is the same thing — a bedtime battle with children, every step of your bedtime routines. First, your child refuses to put on pajamas, then doesn’t want to brush teeth. The more you remind and push, the firmer your child refuses to cooperate. You end up raising your voices at each other and feel like you are going in circles. Ultimately, you both go to bed angry. Like most parents, you’ve probably have a busy life.  You rush to pick up your child, then go home to make dinner. After taking care of the household chore list, your evening is full of many other activities.  By... (Read More ...)

For months bedtime went smoothly.  You follow the daily bedtime routine; tuck your children in, give a kiss, leave and they drift off to sleep.  Recently, one of your children has become scared and is afraid there is a monster under the bed.  You reassure your child that there is no monster, but he insists.  Despite all your promises, “magic sprays” and pep talks, the fears escalate into bedtime tantrums or your child ends up coming out of the room screaming and in tears.  You are stumped and exhausted from the drama. There are many different types of bedtime problems parents may experience.... (Read More ...)

You have tucked your child into bed. The moment you walk out the door, your child begins crying and screaming for you, saying “Don’t leave me!” You go back in the room, pat your child’s back and sing a soothing song. Once your child has calmed down, you start to leave the room again. As soon as you head for the door, your child gets upset again. She doesn’t seem to be faking it either. She really seems genuinely upset, almost grieving, like she’s losing you and will never see you again! As long as you are there by her side, she is calm, well-behaved and snuggles up to you to fall asleep.... (Read More ...)

Each night you plan to follow a bedtime routine, but are so busy, you often get started later than you intended. You spend special time with your child, including a fun activity so your child ends the day happy. Then, when it comes time to actually complete the bedtime tasks, your child falls apart and you find yourself handling bedtime tantrums. When a child “falls apart” during the bedtime routine, it is most likely due to over-stimulation.  Over-stimulation tantrums usually occur when young children are hungry, tired, or overwhelmed. They don’t know how to handle these physical changes... (Read More ...)

 It’s time for your children to get ready for bed. You say, “Time to go brush your teeth.” One whines, “But I don’t want to brush my teeth.” The other says, “I want to keep playing.” Your spouse steps in and says, “You both need to get in the bathroom and start brushing those teeth.” The children just complain and whine louder. You threaten, “If you don’t brush your teeth now, there will be no story time.” This just escalates the situation and now the complaining has turned into temper tantrums. You probably know the basic “5 B’s” of bedtime routines:... (Read More ...)