Bedtime and Sleep Habits
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for parents, that is! Often at the end of a long day all you want is a little peace and time for yourself. After all, you have probably devoted the entire to the service of children in some form.
Whether it is putting bread on the table or being gainfully employed in an unpaid position as housekeeper and cook, you deserve a break.
Come on, kids, be reasonable!
But children do not always see bed-time from a parent's perspective. They often dispute calls for bed and complain loudly that it is too early.
None of the other kids at school go to bed at 8 o'clock, Mum. "It's not fair." is the sort of line that is used in thousands of homes each night.
Others procrastinate with toilet-time, last minute drinks and detailed arrangements of teddies so that bed-time stretches by half an hour before parents realise what is happening.
Some parents are plagued by jack-in-the-boxes who reappear as soon as the bedroom light is turned off while others have night-callers who keep parents busy with comments such as: "I can't get to sleep."
If bed-time presents difficulties in your home try the following ideas at kids' bed-time so that you can maximise the time you have for yourself and your partner.
Decide on a time with your child then stick to it. There are no hard and fast rules about appropriate bed-times for children. However they should suit both parent and child. Discuss appropriate bed-times with children. Some youngsters fail to see that sleep is a biological need. They see it as something imposed on them by parents. I am constantly amazed how reasonable children can be when they have had the chance to participate in the decision-making process.
Establish a bed-time routine well in advance that signals the end of the day. A known routine such as quiet time, drink, toilet and story lets children know what is expected of them and enables them to plan accordingly.
Reduce over-stimulation before bed-time by ensuring children are engaged in passive activities such as homework, reading or watching television.
Distinguish between being in bed and being in the bedroom. Children differ in the amount of sleep that they need. It is pointless to expect them to be in bed at a certain time each night and go to sleep. It is more realistic to be in their bedrooms at a set time. They can then regulate their behaviour. Once away from the adult world children generally fall asleep fairly quickly. Young children may remain on their beds surrounded by a favourite toy or books to keep them occupied before they fall asleep.
Be firm with procrastinators at bedtime. Resist children's efforts to involve you in calls for drinks or assistance with forgotten homework at bed-time. Once in bed ignore their calling out and demonstrate that you are unwilling to participate in their games.
One parent I know begins reading a bed-time story whether her child is in bed or not. As her daughter treasures her story this is generally enough to have her rushing to bed.
Temporarily remove distractions at bed-time. Sometimes turning off the television can be enough to send children to bed.
Avoid sitting with young children until they fall asleep. This may be all right once in a while but habits are easily formed and often difficult to break. Many parents who sit with young children until they drop off discover that they have made a rod for their own backs.
Ignore or return boomerangs to their rooms and give them a minimum attention. Children will generally tire of being jack-in-the-boxes when they get little feed-back for the behaviour. If you have an extremely persistent boomerang then you may have to steel yourself for several nights. Be persistent and give little feed-back to them.
Bed-time with adolescence needs to be negotiated. They are generally capable of regulating their own sleep however it may be necessary to remind them your need for some time alone.
Impress upon children that night are yours and extremely precious. Short of a nightmare or an earthquake, you do not wish to be disturbed.
Michael Grose is Australia's leading parenting educator. He is the author of six books and gives over 100 presentations a year and appears regularly on television, radio and in print.
For further ideas to help you raise happy children and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au . While you are there subscribe to Happy Kids newsletter and receive a free report Seven ways to beat sibling rivalry.
 Google News Updated : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:08:57 GMT New Zealand compromises on India nuclear deal - Xinhua
Xinhua - WELLINGTON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government said on Monday that it got the best deal it could on nuclear trade with India. Indian shares rise more than 4 pct early Indian rupee rises as stocks rally seen Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:36:42 GMT "Stand Up to Cancer" tops Friday ratings - Reuters
Reuters - By Paul J. Gough NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - The industrywide "Stand Up to Cancer" telethon averaged a modest 10.3 million viewers during its hour-long simulcast on ABC, NBC and CBS Friday. In a star-heavy telethon, Hollywood takes a stand on cancer 'Stand Up to Cancer' Raises $100M Plus Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:37:28 GMT Store eases baby bottleneck - Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune - When Georgette Finnie e-mailed What's Your Problem? on Aug. 25, she was 9 months' pregnant with her first child. The expectant mom had done some research about the baby bottles she had received as gifts through her baby registry at Babies "R" Us. Hot Docs: Defending Georgia, Girls Married by 15, the Chemical BPA ... That Plastic Baby Bottle Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:18:53 GMT Persistence pays off for Serena at US Open - FOXSports.com
FOXSports.com - by Matt Cronin, Special to FOXSports.com NEW YORK - About nine days after Serena Williams lost in the Wimbledon final to her elder sister, Venus, she was still killing herself, unable to shake her mind of the errors that came late in a contest that she ... Williams beats Jankovic for title, No. 1 ranking Winning US Open never gets old for Serena Williams Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:38:21 GMT Hurricane Ike Crosses Northeast Cuba After Landfall (Update1) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Aaron Sheldrick and Demian McLean Sept. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Ike is crossing Cuba after smashing into the northeast of the country with winds of 205 kilometers (125 miles) per hour, according to the US National Hurricane Center. Video: Raw Video: Ike's Harsh Impact on Turks and Caico Hurricane Ike set to batter Cuba Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:56:09 GMT Fla. Keys residents weigh evacuation ahead of Ike - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - As a ferocious Hurricane Ike ripped across Cuba, residents from Key West to the Gulf Coast watched the storm's unpredictable path, worrying it could hit anywhere in the US from Texas to Florida. 'Hurricane fatigue' shows Louisiana still possibility for Ike Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:20:42 GMT McCain Leads Obama 50% to 46%, New Poll Finds, USA Today Reports - Bloomberg Bloomberg - By James Kraus Sept. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain leads Democratic contender Barack Obama by 50 percent to 46 percent among registered voters, according to a weekend USA Today/Gallup Poll, USA Today reported. Convention rejuvenates GOP US campaign sharpens as McCain takes poll lead Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:38:07 GMT Add RSS Feeds to My Website |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... 1. Create... Read More One of the biggest milestones in our children's education is... Read More While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More Baby names are as diverse as the people to whom... Read More One of the most powerful tools that parents have for... Read More Just the other day, I was talking to some other... Read More Ever feel like you're out of the loop when it... Read More Though you can cover even very long distances by car... Read More When your child shows signs of potty training readiness, it's... Read More No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More Assuming there are no serious motor problems present, what can... Read More Choosing to leave your child with a caregiver is one... Read More Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More Joey steps away from his time out chair "I won't... Read More Parents of hyperactive children know the "Would you please just... Read More It's the first day of the summer holiday. Five year-old... Read More When kids try new things, sometimes it's a 'fit' and... Read More Something happened the other day that made me feel uneasy.... Read More Vacations and trips are great family events, but how do... Read More 1 "Law of Belonging": The greatest need of teenagers (after... Read More Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More The back-to-school shopping is done. Brand new pencils, colored markers,... Read More I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus... Read More Those of you that have children know what an excursion... Read More Economist John Kenneth Galbraith has said that more people die... Read More
Adsense
websites
Help Your Child Do Better in School
Teaching Reading: Part One
From Good to GREAT: Secrets On Becoming A Better Dad
Naming Your Baby Is Part of The Challenge of Being a Parent
How to Create an Emotional Bond with Your Child
What To Do With A 6 Year Old Smart Mouth Know It All
Kids Party Etiquette for Parents
Plane Trip with Kids
Parenting Univeristy: Potty Training 101
Making Internet Chat Safe For Your Children
Promoting Your Childs Motor Development
Finding A Caregiver You Can Trust
Challenges for Our Children
When Time Out Dont Work
Calming Tips for Hyperactive Children
?Gimme? Proof Your Kids: How To Keep Your Child?s Materialism In Check
If at First They Dont Succeed - What a Great Opportunity!
Responsible Fatherhood - A Unique And Irreplaceable Role!
The Secret To Keeping Kids Interested on Family Vacations
10 Universal Laws for Parents of Teens
Beginning the Special Education Process
Back to School; Time to Recharge
Facing the Homeschool Super Mom
How to Get Your Children Brand Free
Childhood Obesity
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Partnering With Your Daycare or Preschool
For the most positive daycare experience for your child, partner... Read More
Helping Your Child Develop
Here are some things that you can do to help... Read More
Parenting Predicaments
Predicament:My son is 4 1/2 years old. His younger brother... Read More
15 New Years and Holiday Resolutions For Parents
Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know... Read More
Moms - Get More Energy Now
Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect... Read More
An Overview of Alternative Treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More
Why Creativity and Self-Expression are Important to Little Kids
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
Choosing Wooden Toys For Children
Wooden toys are one of the best alternatives for the... Read More
Remember The Generation Gap?
The techniques of managing relationships between parents and their children... Read More
Parenting Your Teenager: What to Do When Your Teen Feels Left Out
On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More
Is Your Child Learning Nothing?
You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
Empty Nest Syndrome
Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More
How A Home Water Filter Can Reduce Your Child?s Risk Of Learning Disabilities
Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More
Ten Reasons to Tell your Kids Stories
In today's busy world, many parents have lost the art... Read More
Teaching Your Children About the Value of Money
We take it for granted that children know how money... Read More
Elephants and Teenagers
Something eerily familiar happened in KwaZulu-Natal's Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in Africa... Read More
The POWER of Your Words
Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes... Read More
Committed Parenting
When you think about it, probably the one thing that... Read More
What About ADHD Teens and Driving?
This is one of the most common questions asked of... Read More
The Theme from MASH - Suicide is Not Painless
The Theme from MASHI flipped the button on the remote... Read More
Quality Time?
There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More
Choosing a Daycare or Pre-School ? Top Ten Safety Tips
When it's time to put your child into a daycare... Read More
I Cant Sleep Without You
When my firstborn arrived into this serene and peaceful household,... Read More
Stroller Safety Tips
Strollers offer a wonderful and convenient service to parents and... Read More
Lifebooks: Every Adopted Child Needs One
Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More
Parenting |