When the child does not want to go to bed
The time to go to sleep can become a daily fight in many homes. Some children who escape from bed constantly, others mount tantrums and there are some who devise strategies to entertain their parents and avoid bed. When parents are already exhausted and need a break, children seem more active and aw
The time to go to sleep can become a daily fight in many homes. Some children who escape from bed constantly, others mount tantrums and there are some who devise strategies to entertain their parents and avoid bed.
When parents are already exhausted and need a break, children seem more active and awake than ever. What to do in these cases ?, How to instill good sleep routines to children?
Causes for which the child does not want to go to bed
Even if it is exasperating, exhausting and ends with our patience, it is important to put ourselves in the children's shoes and find the reason why they do not want to go to bed, which is usually Being:
- Fear: to the darkness, to be alone, to 'the monsters' ... From the age of two, children develop fears that make them need to be with their parents and not alone in their room.
- Lack of fatigue: although it seems hard to believe, children have an inexhaustible energy and their desire to continue playing, experimenting or telling stories clashes with the time to go to sleep.
- Bad habits: if we put the children to bed late on weekends, it will be difficult for them to recover a weekday schedule. Or if we send them to bed for having behaved badly, they will believe that this moment is a punishment.
How to get the child to go to bed without tantrums
1. First of all we will have to stop all those fears and bad routines that we have. We will talk with the child and help him overcome those fears. We can leave a small light on and remind him that we are in the next room and that nothing will happen to him.
2. Routines are a fundamental ally: you must always put them to bed at the same time and follow the same pattern. We can read a story, sing a lullaby or say some endearing phrases, give a kiss and good night. We must create a ritual that the child expects with pleasure and likes.
3. Show firmness and do not waver. If one night the child leaves the room and we let him watch TV with us, the next day he will want to do the same.
4. Do not sleep the child in your arms or do not let him fall asleep in front of the TV to avoid the dreaded moment of going to bed. He will get used to it and will not want to go to sleep alone. You have to learn that it is one more of your daily routines, like eating or showering.
5. If you get out of bed, we put you back to bed without shouting, as calmly as possible and leave the room. If he does it again, we carry out the same process, as many times as necessary, always trying not to lose his calm. We will speak to you with confidence and with confidence. The constancy is fundamental. He will end up getting used to falling asleep only.
