Sprout

Help! My Kids Don't Want to Go to Bed

Sprout Admin -

One of the most common struggles for parents is getting kids to go to bed on time. Kids are full of energy, and encouraging them to get in bed and stay there can be extremely challenging.

No matter how old your children are, encouraging them to go to bed at a reasonable time is important. School age children need 9-11 hours of  high-quality sleep each night, while younger children need even more.   If they fail to get adequate amounts of sleep, it can affect their growth and development, as well as their physical and mental health.

There are many reasons why your children might not want to get into bed each night and discovering the root cause can help you overcome the problem.  Here are some of the main reasons why your children might be resisting bedtime and some strategies to help you resolve the issue.

Common Reasons Why Children Resist Bedtime

Here are four common reasons why your child might be fighting against bedtime each night.

  • They don’t want to miss out. Your children could be afraid to miss out on something when they go to bed, especially if they know that you’re still awake and they can hear you moving around.
  • They’re afraid of the dark. Your children might be frightened of the dark and, as a result, they don’t want to turn the lights off and go to sleep.
  • They are not tired, or they are over tired.
  • They do not want to be separated from you.

Strategies to Help You Get Your Children to Bed On Time

Here are some simple strategies that will help you get your kids to get into bed at a decent time each night.  By establishing a predictable and soothing routine, you will help your child transition from their busy day to being ready to sleep.

  • Avoid activities or food choices that will overstimulate your child
  • Sit with them for a while until they get comfortable in bed.
  • Read a bedtime story to help them relax.
  • Play relaxing music in their room until they fall asleep.
  • Be quiet so your children can’t hear you as they fall asleep.
  • Just like for adults, a room that is cool, dark and quiet is best for sleeping