6 Bedtime Rituals for Parents & Toddlers
A successful bedtime starts with a successful before-bed ritual. Would you go jogging for an hour and then throw your sweaty self down in bed to sleep? Probably not. Likewise, toddlers need a winding-down transition after dinner to get ready for sleep. Here are some ideas:
* _Start with an “evening bathtime ritual”:http://www.crunchyparenting.com/2010/03/7-simple-bathtime-rituals-for-parents-toddlers that works for you._ If you’re not giving night-time baths, re-consider the idea. An evening bath can be relaxing for you and your child, or a good way for a working-outside parent to reconnect before bedtime. If it really just won’t work for you right now, consider a quick “towel bath” with a warm washcloth before changing for sleep.
* _Prep the bedroom beforehand._ Get out the sleepwear, clean diapers, socks, etc. before or during dinner. Straighten out the crib, put toys away, etc. This is a 2-minute task, not a spring cleaning operation.
* _Light a candle_ with an older toddler. Do it just before sitting down to dinner, and take it with you to the bath for bathtime, and then to the bedroom while they get ready for bed. After saying their goodnights, let them blow it out before going to bed.
* _Sing a bedtime song_ and create your own after-bath, before-sleep ritual. Ours is to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” while getting out of the bath, then to brush teeth while still wrapped in a towel. (If you’ve ever wrapped a cat or dog in a towel to trim their nails or such, it’s a very similar strategy.)
* _Make saying “goodnight” interactive._ As you dress them for sleep, say goodnight aloud to family and caregivers, or other things your child has interacted with that day. We start with immediate family (“good night, Grandma”) and move on to objects and toys (“good night, squirrels”). This is a good low-key way to keep them occupied while you try to get them changed. If your child is talking, you can have them repeat each goodnight after you, but don’t correct them or force them; it might be too much for a tired little brain.
* _Set the mood for sleep._ Tuck them in, dim the lights. For trouble sleeping, consider playing “soft classical”:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y0CV1M?ie=UTF8&tag=mylifeonline-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Y0CV1M, or a white noise track. We used a “$.99 track of ocean waves and a soft heartbeat”:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012WWMHE?ie=UTF8&tag=mylifeonline-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0012WWMHE for the first year of bedtime and naptime; I’m sure it could put her to sleep in an instant even now.
As always, do your best to give them the reassurance of a routine, but don’t feel guilty if something unexpected comes up. Just scratch an ‘x’ through the day and start over tomorrow!h2. Your title here…
