I can feel you wincing already. One of the biggest hurdles involved with parenting a toddler is easily the dreaded bed time routine.
If you're one of the lucky few, your toddler actually enjoys going to sleep. They start getting sweet and sleepy at exactly 7:00pm each evening, willingly laying down their toy or iPad in favour of a bath, bedtime story, and... are you rolling your eyes?
Yeah...it's a wishful thought.
Toddlers absolutely love experiencing the world around them. Running, playing, climbing and singing. They also enjoy testing out their independence. And bed time greatly interferes with their plans for adventure.
As a child hits the 18 month marker (or younger) they encounter a very independent phase. "NO" is one of the most popular words out of their mouth. And they don't hesitate to use their new go-to word at bed time.
As a result, they become tired. Like, really, really tired.
While there's no magic pill that makes bedtime smoother, I've managed to lock down some pretty solid tips in my years of tucking Tiny Humans in to bed. Tips you might want to try next time your Little One is on the rampage before hitting the pillow.
(Disclaimer: No, I'm not a mom. I have, however, worked as an au pair, live-in nanny, teacher and 'co-parent' to foster children for 15 odd years. )
SUGAR PLUM FAIRY
The "no sugar before bed" rule can be extended to well before the evening hours. In fact, that after-school treat might be one of the reasons why your toddler is so fussy before bed.
We all know that sugar works as a stimulant, and the rise in insulin in your child's body contributes to mood swings that occur when their blood sugar goes up, then comes crashing down.
Also known as a sugar crash.
There's no need to empty the pantry of all sweets. After all, adults enjoy the odd sweet before bed. But if you do, stick to unrefined sugars and organic options. A bowl of yogurt with honey and a few slices of fruit is an excellent alternative to crisps or cookies. FUN FACT: While it's an aquired taste, adding a teaspoon of raw blackstrap molasses to a glass of milk is a great way to sneak in some extra vitamins. Get fancy and serve it in a tea cup.
Kids coffee, anyone?
2. ROUTINE, ROUTINE, ROUTINE!
Establish a set bed time and set a nightly routine. Remind your child every day what the routine is going to include. (E.g. "After dinner we're going to have a bath. Then, you'll get to pick out our bedtime story after you put on your pyjamas." )
And stick to the routine.
Make sure your child wakes up and goes to bed at the same time each day. It's easy to give in when you've had a hectic day, incomplete tasks waiting or a full inbox that requires your attention. But, sticking to a schedule every day helps your toddler learn to expect what's going to happen. Research has shown that creating a predictable bed time routine reduces problematic sleeping behaviours in toddlers.
