Sometimes, a lullaby isn’t enough – which can make bedtime and naptime more of a nightmare than a sweet dream for parents and caregivers of small children.
That’s because some children have a harder time than others getting to sleep and staying asleep, leaving parents often feeling as if they’ve exhausted all of their options in getting their child to sleep.
Below are tips provided from the experts at St. Tammany Health System’s Parenting Center to help with bedtime and naptime within your household:
- Prepare your child’s room so it is a calming environment: nightlight and sound machine on, room darkened, toys on shelves, etc. Make sure all five of their senses are met. Dark room for sight, cozy stuffed animal or blanket for touch, essential oils for scent, etc.
- Create a step by step evening schedule for your family. Children thrive off of predictability, and so having a schedule they can rely on every night will help. Try your hardest to stick to it, even on weekends on school breaks.
- Expect some resistance and understand that it is going to take time. The goal is ultimately, to teach your child to go to sleep alone. However, remember that this is a learned skill.
- Acknowledge your own feelings about the transition. In our busy world, sometimes bedtime is the only quality time we get with our children. In transitioning them to fall asleep on their own, it can be an adjustment for us too.
Parenting is one of the toughest jobs and the Parenting Center is here for you. If encouraging your children is something your family is struggling with, please reach out. We are here to help. At $20, we offer Parenting Coaching by appointment, so call the Parenting Center to set up an appointment with one of our educators for guidance and assistance on how to help you create moments of encouragement within your daily lives.
Below, find some upcoming classes available. You can also learn more about the Parenting Center at StTammany.health/ParentingCenter, including a full listing of upcoming classes, activities and playgroups.
Alexis Dill, MS PLMFT, is the education coordinator at The Parenting Center.