Bedtime in our house is pretty lax. Our daughter goes to bed anywhere from 8:30pm-10pm. We've developed a pretty standard routine. Brush your teeth, mom reads, dad sings, Inka (our husky) climbs into her bed and lights out. I'd say 90% of the time it's that simple. But then there's that other 10% of the time...."I can't sleep!"
We've heard it all.
I'm too hot
I'm too cold
I'm itchy
My tummy hurts
My nose is running
My legs are twitching
I have too much energy
There's a spider in my room
I feel tired but my eyes wont stay shut
Usually we rock, paper, scissors for who has to go back and tuck her in and lately I've been getting really angry because it seems her bedtime routine is taking FOREVER and let's be honest, it cuts into my PVR time. I've come up with a new solution and so far, it seems to have worked. Takes me an extra 5-10 minutes but it's well worth it and we're going on a 100% success rate so far. My secret? I rub her feet.
We usually do some light stretching before I start reading to her. Helps her relax. Daddy comes in to sing her songs. After that, I get some lotion and slowly rub her feet. I know, you probably think I'm crazy for doing it. I guess it's one of the perks of being a mommy for one. I don't have to put 2, 3, 4 kids to bed. I can take my time with her and honestly, it works! Once I finish with one foot, and move on to the other one, she's already pretty much done. When I'm finished with the second foot, she's snoring. LIGHTS OUT!Just thought I'd recommend it to anyone out there having troubles getting your kids to fall asleep. Take a little extra time with them and help them relax.
Do you have any secrets for helping your little one fall asleep??
So cute! I read to my son and his Daddy songs to him too!
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky too, pretty smooth bedtime in our house too. But man o man when it's bad, it's bad! But for the most part rare. Most important is keep the same routine.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Now that my kids are teenagers, maybe I'll have them do this for me. Isn't that how it should work? :)
ReplyDeleteAwww this is a great idea :) haha I know my younger cousins have this problem as well!
ReplyDeleteI do this with my little guy, too!
ReplyDeleteMy boys love to cuddle with me before going to sleep. I love it! Is our time to have little talks and laugh before they go to bed.
ReplyDeleteOh my word!! I have to try this... my older one gives the gamut of excuses!!! Thank you for posting!!
ReplyDeletesarita it's my girls' world
Precious! I just might try this the next time my 2 can't sleep.
ReplyDeleteWe read a book, then brush teeth, say prayers and then lots of hugs. One thing that has always relaxed my youngest was rubbing her head. Even as a baby that would relax her.
ReplyDeleteI used to run my fingers through my boys hair when they were little to get them to fall asleep.... it still works like a charm and they are 9 and 14yrs old now!
ReplyDeleteVery nice...this is such a precious time in your daughter's life. My daughter is now 20 years old and I wonder where the time has gone. Even though we want our children to go to sleep when they hit the bed, I do think pushing bedtime up early is a good idea. This way both you and your child can have time for those nightly rituals that will fill your memories for years to come. It sounds like you have this down to a science....Way to go, Mom!
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