>> taming bedtime battles

No matter how much parents love their young children, a highlight of their day is when their children finally fall asleep. My wife would announce this moment with a tired grin and the words, “They’re down.”

Although childhood bedtime battles and sleeping issues are legendary in our society, there are solutions. If your child whines or complains when told that it’s his bedtime, try using a kitchen timer to announce bedtime (kids won’t argue with a timer!). When the timer goes off, announce “The timer said it’s bedtime.” Immediately reset the timer for eight or 10-minutes and say, in an excited voice, “Beat the clock.” The goal is to use the potty, change into pj’s, brush teeth and jump into bed before the timer goes off. If he beats the clock, he gets one ticket. Twenty tickets can be redeemed for a small prize. Now bedtime is a fun game.

Once the child is in bed, follow the same routine of calming events each evening (story time, prayers, cuddles, etc.). If he gets upset when you leave his room, turn on a cassette tape or CD of soothing lullabies on low volume. He will gradually begin to associate being tired with the music.