With back to school just around the corner, you may be wondering how to create a bedtime routine for school age kids. Wouldn’t it be awesome if kids went to bed without being told? Okay, some kids do this without being told, but the majority of kids don’t. Check out these tips to help create a successful bedtime routine for school age kids.
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How To Create A Bedtime Routine For School Age Kids
You have to be consistent.
Summertime is prime time to get off schedule for school age kids. It’s lighter outside longer and so much to do! If you’re going to create a bedtime routine for school age kids, then you have to be consistent. You can’t have them going to bed at 11 one night and 8 o’clock the next. While summer will bring about some variety in bedtimes, the closer you get to back to school the more consistent you can become in the time they are to be in bed each night.
Get a routine down.
No routine looks the same for each family in the world. In fact, some kids are okay with going straight to bed and others need a routine put into place. Whatever routine you decide to establish, ensure it’s a routine that you can follow through with. It’s important to talk to your school age child and let them know that there may be some nights this routine is off a little and that’s okay. Nothing can be perfect 100% of the time. Many families find it beneficial to turn the television off at least an hour to two hours before bedtime. They may also make kids take baths or showers at night, use soothing aromatherapy throughout the house to calm and help sleep, or simply read a bedtime story as they tuck their kids in. You will now how to create a bedtime routine for school age kids that works best for your family when you understand their individual needs.
Get serious.
Your school age child isn’t going to be very successful in their bedtime routine if you’re not serious about it. Take the time to set rules with your child and let them know what you expect out of them. If you plan on letting them stay up and read a while after they’re in their room, make sure they know when to turn out the lights. Stop the back and forth of leniency. Set rules and stick with them. This is important for them to respect you, as well as for you to have the power to enforce rules later on.
Don’t be a drill sergeant.
Bedtime can be so frustrating for parents, but it’s important to not yell and scream at your child for them to go to bed. You don’t want them to feel afraid or break their spirit right before they go to bed. Try to make this time special! Kids sleep better when they feel as though their world is safer. This is why the routine of reading a book, tucking them in, singing a lullaby or even saying bedtime prayers is so important. Children sleep better and wake up happier when things are calm and peaceful for them at bedtime.
Work with your kids to create the best bedtime routine for them. Being aware of their needs, how much sleep they react best to and also what your schedule will be like once school begins is important.
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