how do you get your kid to bed at a good time and how do you know what time they should go to bed at i try for 10pm

Michelle - posted on 04/11/2009

It depends on the age of your child. I use to let my children stay up until 9:30 or 10 but then they would have a hard time sleeping so I talked it over with their dr. who said to set a bed time around 8:30 or 9 and do the bed time routine. We do baths, read a story and then put them to bed at 8:30. Most of the time they are asleep by 9. On the rare occasion that we are not home at 8:30 they will fall asleep in the vehicle on the way home and crawl right into bed when they get home.

Erika - posted on 04/10/2009

I think 8 or 9 at the very latest. I agree with Wanda whole heartedly.  Consistency s definitely the key. A bedtime routine is what works for my stubborn 7 year old. If they go to bed at a decent time they will generally do so much better in school.  They will be well rested, and they won't get cranky and tired half way through the school day. Good luck

Elizabeth - posted on 04/08/2009

It helps if you start from early on. I started puting all of my kids to bed at 8pm as soon as they had any kind of sleep schedule as baby. Now, all three (ages 2, 4, 6) have been going to bed at 8pm since almost birth. I've kept it on the weekends too, as they are all pretty young (and I need mommy time after 8 pm) Now if I even attempt to let them stay up later, they practically ask to go, or fall asleep within the hour. And trust me, these kids are plenty wild and rambunctious, during the day.



You also need to consider the kid... For example, my oldest is/was a good sleeper. Took great naps, slept 10 hours a night, etc. My son, however I learned early on, that his naps were "power naps" and even if they were only 20minutes, he wouldn't be able to sleep until almost 10 or 11. But it was a simple fix... no more naps, and he was fine.



Good luck to you and yours!

Dawn - posted on 04/07/2009

I used to have a similar problem. With this last x-mas, we told him he had to be asleep by the time Santa was to arrive, or he wouldn't come. Something in him clicked, and he was in his room by 8:30. We put a t.v. in their room (he shares with his brother), and the routine now is in be at 8, tv set on timer for 30 min, then he's asleep. We have found that it is a mental thing for him, not the tv. He will bug us to set the timer, and wont sleep until my husband or I do it. Sometimes, within a couple of minutes, we check on him and his is out. They need a routine in their minds so they know what to do (they can control it). You just have to find the routine that works for you. Oh, I also use (not so often now) a homeopathic item called calms forte jr. by Hyland's. Can get it at walmart, I think. When my son has trouble falling asleep, he asks for his sleeping medicine (calms forte jr.) Lavender is calming and is great to use on kids, especially to get them to sleep. You can get a lavender sachet, and place it under her pillow.

Get dark shades or curtains for the windows, and someone mentioned black out shades to darken her room. I still to this day cannot sleep unless it is completely dark in my room.

Nothing will work overnight, you just have to keep trying, until that right combo of whatever works for her. Good luck.

Tina - posted on 04/07/2009

I agree with all the moms about setting up a routine. If your child knows what is coming next they will not over react to going to bed. My 3 all go to bed at 7pm. In the summer it moves to 7:30 or 8. My kids are 8, 5, and 3. They all need lots of sleep. They will even take a nap on non school days. Bed times should go by children s need for sleep. good luck. But most of all remember we know our children, but you know your child and you know what works best for them.

Anamari - posted on 04/07/2009

My six year old has always gone to bed at 7:00p.m. after a bath and story time. Putting up black out blinds certainly helped when the clocks went forward and it was still light at this time (which is now again). As he is fairly active and on the go, he is usually zonked out by this time. Occasionally though, he doesn't fall asleep until 7:15p.m. which is when we read some extra stories. I find that a warm bath does the trick. Oh and he and his sister always eat at 5:00 (since babies) and I think this routine has helped them. I plan to continue this bedtime for the foreseeable future as you can really tell (as a teacher) which kids are in desperate need for extra sleep.

Oh and re. naps, if my son has had a nap, I always wake him up by 4, otherwise getting him to sleep by 7:00 is impossible! Saying that, when we go on holiday, all of this goes out of the window and we have to start the routine again (which is hard for a couple of weeks to adjust back into) after we get back. xxxxxx

Debbie - posted on 04/07/2009

How old is your daughter? I explained to my 7 year old that her bedtime isn't based on age, it's based on need. Right now her bedtime is 8:30 during school nights and 9pm on weekends. She wakes up at 7am on school days (and generally around 6:30 - 7:30am on weekends as well.) I told her that I can tell what her bedtime should be based on how she is when she wakes up. If she complains about getting out of bed and it's hard for me to get her up, then she's not getting enough sleep. If she acts tired during the day, then she's not going getting enough sleep.



Personally, I don't believe it's how they act when they fall asleep, but how they act when they wake up. Most kids would love to stay up as late as possible. Once they get on a routine, it's so much easier to get them down at night. At least that is what I experienced. My daughter wasn't on much of a routine until she was around 5. At first it was a bit difficult changing things up to get her on a routine, but now it's a God send.

Leanne - posted on 04/07/2009

well iv always set a time when my son was ur childs age id take him up to be at 7 pm , id read a nice story to him told him i loved him hugs extra, but what i found worked most was id put a light story time tape on low in the back ground and one got used to this routine he fell a sleep almost sraight away it does work u have to be determaned nd strong that this is there bed time routine works , also get dark lined curtains that show no light through the windows , dont let have nap keep them ocupide , good luck

Maggie - posted on 04/07/2009

I believe its all in the age.  My son just up till now has been in bed at 8pm give and take a half hour, now that he is 11 he may stay up till 9pm.  Keeping kids active and reducing sugar intake or caffiene intake could possibly help if you don't already watch what she eats and sometimes if I know my son hasn't had enough activity during the day to unwind at night we'll go for a good walk, thats if you have the time.  I know that working the minds like homework and studying can get someone really tired or if she likes to read have her read. I have a tendency to fall asleep when reading.  Also being that it is light out put something over her window to make it seem as if its dark and do it before shes in bed just to get the mood started. Well I hope Ive helped or given some ideas, but yes she should be in bed before 10, they say kids need a good 10hrs of sleep every day.

Katie - posted on 04/07/2009

my oldest and youngest go to bed at the same time, 8pm CST. we let them play and have a good time, kinda like the last hooray for the day. then my DH tucks the boys in and they chat for alittle bit, which is cute... my oldest being 4 and my youngest be 1. they sleep until 7 or 8 the next morning.

i agree, consistency is it. on the weekends, my oldest gets to stay up alittle later but that is maybe an hour later. we use to do baths but even the most relaxing bath makes the hyper so we stopped that. lol

Wanda - posted on 04/07/2009

I feel any school age child should be in bed by 9 PM the latest.  I suggest having a bedtime routine.  GIve her a sudsie bubble bath (I suggest using the Lavender Johnson and Johnson bathtime wash).  Read a bedtime story and lights out!  Consistency is the key!  You have to do this nightly so it becomes a routine and she knows what to expect.  Hope this helps!