Tired of the tantrums at bedtime?
Well the secret to avoiding these is a good bedtime routine:
- Give them their dinner
- Give them a warm bath
- Give a drink
- Story (optional more for older children than babies)
- Put them into bed
Aim to do this sequence at around the same time every night, although I wouldn’t have fixed times for these as if something happens it throws the whole routine out.
When I put my child to bed they always cry what should I do?
Leave the child to cry they will soon settle down; my daughter sometimes cries I leave her and within 20mins she has gone quiet, I know it sounds cruel but it works.
If your child gets out of bed crying trying to follow you back downstairs put them back into bed and leave the room; keep repeating this until the child stays in bed.
Avoid having your child sleeping in your bed at night as none of you get a particularly good night’s sleep, plus it disturbs any intimate moments you have with your partner.
For older children reward charts are sometimes helpful as it gives the child an incentive to behave.