Bedtime battles

Thankfully, we rarely have bedtime battles but here's a little Love & Logic reminder list for the times we do.....

• Abolish bedtime in favor of “bedroom time.”
  
  • While it's not within our control to make our kids fall asleep in their beds, we can control whether they stay in their rooms. Say, "You may do whatever you like as long as you stay in your room and you don't cause a problem."
• If they come out of their room, shut their door.
  • Some parents decide to keep putting their children back in the room. Others decide to hold the door shut. Some decide to latch the door shut until their child is willing to stay in their room.
• Ensure supervision and safety.
  • Make the room safe and stay right outside their door until they are calm.
• Expect them to throw a huge fit.
  • This is normal.
• Don't talk to them through the door.
  • Each word we say increases the duration of their fit.
• Open the door only when they fall asleep or are willing to stay in their room.
• Be as consistent as possible.
  • When parents stick to this plan, they usually see major improvement in less than a week’s time.
• Use these tips only with children who are at least one year of age.
  • With little babies, just love them and do whatever it takes to sooth them. The first year of life is all about meeting needs and establishing trust and love.