Teaching your Child to Stay in Bed

by Renee Dietz | More from this Blogger

31 Oct 2006 10:30 PM

Being a single parent probably means that you arrive home after a day of work only to find the kids need supper, baths, homework needs to be done, the house needs to be picked up, and the list goes on. Therefore, once you get the children in bed, you want them to stay there. However, many children will go to bed but then find getting up is more fun. I think every parent has dealt with this issue. You get through dinner, bath time, stories have been read, songs have been sung, and a sip of water has been provided.

After carefully tucking your children in bed and giving a goodnight kiss, you turn the light off, ready for some personal down time. Now, it is your turn to relax. Just as you finish the last chores, you settle in on the couch to watch television or read a book. However, you soon get this very strange feeling that someone is watching you. As you turn around, you find your little ones staring back. While you are exhausted at the end of the day, children have some form of magic that gives them an abundance of energy, especially at bedtime.

The bad thing about children constantly getting out of bed at night is that eventually, your life and schedule will be impacted. For the single parent, this means running on little sleep and even less patience. The first tip is to create a special chart outlining each action that needs to take place in preparation for bed. If the kids are old enough, find a place where they can use colored pencils and poster board to help in the creation process. Keeping children involved, helps teach them to take ownership of the process.

 Bedtime snack  Drink of water/milk/juice  Get dressed in pajamas  Brush teeth  Go to the bathroom  Read a book/sing a song/tell a story  Hugs and kisses  Switch the light off  GO TO SLEEP

This is actually very simple. The purpose of the chart is to help your associate with routine and see exactly the things he/she will have responsibility for completing. Have a place created on your chart for an "end of the week" status. For this, if your children followed the routine and stayed in bed, reward him or her for good behavior. Remember, the reward does not need to be anything expensive. Perhaps an ice cream cone or an afternoon of roller-skating is all it takes to persuade.

Getting your children on a bedtime schedule accomplishes several things. First, it allows you to get some much-needed down time after a long day at work. Second, it helps the children get the proper rest that they also need. In return, the children will be happier, study better in school, and overall, be healthier. By getting your children into bed and having them stay there, they are learning the importance of responsibility and proper rest.

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Learn more about Renee Dietz

I have been a successful, published writer for the past 26 years, offering a writing style that is informative, creative, and reader-friendly.

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Tristi Pinkston (10839) 01 Nov 2006 09:40 AM

What tips do you have for older children? :) We follow the bedtime routine and they know what's expected of them, but they sure pop up like daisies five and six times a night and I'm out of ideas.

Renee Dietz (964) 13 Nov 2006 04:19 PM

I went through this with my kids too. I started a reward system, a great way for them to be motivated and earn some money. Both my son and daughter had a "Reward Jar" with their name on it. Each night they followed the bedtime rules, they were given a quarter. At the end of every month, we went on a special shopping trip where I matched the money they earned, allowing them to buy something they want. You would be shocked at how fast it worked....good luck and keep me posted.

sam711 (5) 07 Mar 2007 07:50 AM

I am having the same problem with my four year old. It is either I am not tired, I do not like my room, or he will go to sleep but gets up hours later. I have tried the Supernanny technique with the tennis balls. If he is good and stays in bed, he get a surprise at the end of the week. We have a list on the refregerator , what are the rules. He just has no intrest in it. I can not keep in his room. I am so out of ideas...I never had this problem with his sister. Please help

Renee Dietz (964) 07 Mar 2007 08:52 AM

You poor thing....it could be that he is uncomfortable in his room for one reason or another. I know he's young but you might consider changing some things in the room...perhaps let him pick out a paint color or new lamp. The key is to make the room his safe place, his fun place. If he feels he goes to his room only for bed or punishment (I don't know...just a thought) then he may be relating the room to something negative. You might also try spending some time with him daily, just playing in his room. Choose one of his favorite things to do and do it in the room. That way, you are encouraging him to spend quality time in his room while helping him associate his space with the positive. I would love to know if this helps. Renee

MummyG (10) 17 Feb 2008 12:56 PM

I feel that we have been through everything with our 4 1/2 year old daughter. She has had short periods of sleeping well, but generally we are up at least once a night, and if not, it has been a struggle to get her to go to sleep. I have tried rewards, punishments, cuddles, shouting, holding her bedroom door shut, crying (that was me!!!) but we still have issues. My husband and I are both at the end of our tether. I have just read Renee's post above and think this may help. I'll try it and let you know!