BEDTIME can be one of parenting's biggest battles, leaving mom and dad frustrated and exhausted.
But mom-of-two Ivana Davies has found 11 tricks that she says made a huge difference in her house.
"Over the years, I’ve developed some bedtime hacks to end the bedtime battle once and for all," she wrote for Find Your Mom Tribe.
GET ORGANIZED
As soon as you're done with dinner, Davies advises, get organized for the kids' bedtime.
That's the time to lay out pajamas, turn down the bed, and find any needed stuffed animals – so when the kiddos do need to go to bed, there won't be chaotic scrambling.
LET THEM FINISH
Second, she says, make sure to let your kids finish what they're doing. Just like adults, kids can get frustrated if they have to stop in the middle of something.
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That doesn't mean to let the games run on forever, but you can give kids a warning that their bedtime routine will start in 20 minutes, so they should wrap things up.
THEIR FEELINGS MATTER
Davies admits it is easy to go the "because I said so" route.
"But one key to avoiding power struggles and helping your child feel heard is to validate their feelings and show them you understand," she says.
It can help to acknowledge their feelings, like saying you know they don't like brushing their teeth, but it's important.
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GET THE TOUGH STUFF OVER WITH
Start your routine with whatever gets the most pushback, whether that be brushing teeth, taking a bath, or something else.
GIVE OPTIONS
Some bedtime tasks are inescapable, but giving kids some choice in the matter can give them a sense of control.
That doesn't mean asking whether or not they want to brush their teeth, but perhaps asking if they want to brush their teeth or take a bath first.
CHOOSE BETWEEN ROUTINE AND SCHEDULE
Davies explains that while a routine follows the same tasks every night, a schedule pins them to set times – and the first way might work better for some families while the second works better for other families.
GIVE VISUAL CUES
Davies likes SEN Support's ASD Visual Schedule for Home or a similar visual schedule that kids can follow.
The set includes images of tasks, like putting on pajamas and reading a story, so kids know what the plan is.,
"Many kids are visual learners, so having it right in front of them where they can see it really helps!" she says.
GIVE THEM A "SPA BATH"
Adding some fun to the routine can make it easier, so when Davies is getting pushback, she gives her daughter a "spa bath."
She uses Epsom salts, dims the lights, and puts a battery-powered candle in the room to make the little girl feel pampered.
SET A TIMER
"Sometimes getting a child in the bath is a challenge," says Davies. "Other times, getting a child OUT of the bath is a challenge."
When there's no time for that, she sets a timer to signify the end of bath time.
SET UP A TREAT
Tie bedtime to something kids can look forward to, dangling something fun like a story or a special song.
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STAY POSITIVE
"Gently remind yourself how you want your child to feel at the end of the day," says Davies.
"One of my goals each night is to make sure that when I tuck my kiddos into bed they can feel secure, safe, loved, and wanted."
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