Princess T’s nine year old brother loves his sleep so much. He is so happy to brush his teeth and get ready for bed every night. He just can’t wait to get under his blankets and then in two minutes lights are out, and he’s in a deep sleep. However when it’s time for Princess T to go and brush her teeth, there’s always a moan, or an argument. Bed time has turned into an unpleasant issue.
So what do we do??? If we spanked her, we would be called abusive parents. Sometimes we try the 1, 2, 3 counting thing, and occasionally it works. Other times we threaten to take her favourite toys away, and she sometimes that works. Other times hubby threatens that she can’t do nice family outings- I don’t always agree with that one. Sometimes a smiley face chart works very well.
So basically each night we try a different tactic to avoid bed time issues, .We seem to have to find something different to use each night.
I’d be more than happy to receive any suggestions to make ess of an issue
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on Thursday, December 13th, 2007 at 3:03 pm and is filed under Bed time fights, Kids, Parenting.
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Do you ever watch supernanny on channel 4 ?
I find her tactics and methods for controlling the childen to be very effective.
As working in preschool i am constantly fighting up wot 15 children between me and my co-worker - we are highly stressed.
I have been publishing some of my education on my baby development blog.. sorry to drop a link but ithink relevant:
Babythings4u - My baby development blog
I love super nanny. I too am a preschool teacher and currently a home day care provider. of course other people’s children are perfect in my home, just like my daughter is an angel at school. I will definetly spend time reading your site, hoever my daughter is not an infant she is 6 years old and very smart. That’s why I have to be very creative at bed time. Thank for your advise
Sharon
I didn’t catch how old Princess T is. But whatever her age she needs a routine, and you need to be consistent. If there is a scrabble every night at bedtime Princess T will never really know what she can and can not do, and you will be tired, frustrated, more tired, and - yes - angry.
Don’t compare Princess T to her brother, but do use him as a good example. Try making a picture story book using photographs of your family. You could make the story about a happy time that you spent together, bringing up memories in your child’s mind. Gradually direct the story through to tea time, a calm half an hour after tea maybe reading a book together. Going to the bathroom to prepare for the night-time routine. Let the children in the story take the book to bed and finish reading it with mum or dad or big brother in the quiet of the bedroom. As the story child begins to get sleep draw the story to a close. Bring in ideas like the child wanting to read more books and the parent being firm and saying “No, it is time to go to sleep now. Tomorrow we will read some more books and you can choose the first one.”
The seeds that you are planting in your child’s head will grow and she will start to copy the story child.
Ofcourse you don’t have to read a story you can make one up. The thing is though to be consistent and get that routine going so that Princess T knows what she needs to do and when. Reward her with praise for every small piece of behaviour that fits with what you expect of her.
If you like my ideas please recommend me, I am an Early Years Consultant www.proceedc.com
princess t does have a very good be time routine just like her brother but is a different type of person. She is not always tired at bed time and struggles to fall asleep, which is something I too have always experienced at night. I have been working with children for over 12 years now and I am not new at this and understand what consistency is all about. I do appreciate your input though.
Too true, Children are not always tired at bedtime - but we are! Sorry I couldn’t help.
No problem, I am always happy to receive suggestions.
Sharon