How to prepare your child for bed time?

Parenting is not a cake walk! It tests you at every step but is also the most fulfilling experience of all. In fact to me, the word 'parent' itself means that you are more than yourself. You are the giver of life and so you have to take full responsibility for this life, no matter what it takes - and that includes inculcating healthy habits from early on. Sleep is a crucial part of life and helping your child develop an effective bed time routine will go a long way in ensuring a happy and healthy life to your child...Here's what you can do:  

Healthy bed time habits for you and your child

1. How did it start?  In today's digital world, it has become tough to even get the child to bed, forget putting him/her to sleep. So before you act, just reflect on whether it is really a challenge your child has thrown at you or a habit you have encouraged. I am sure if you reflect you will realise that it just maybe the latter. At times, your child may have been sleepy but there was a late night dinner or movie or guests over that did not let your child get to bed on time and over time, this became a habit. Parents too stay up later than usual and that s okay, but the child's needs must be put first. Put your child to bed on time - it's a habit you need to develop!

2. Switch off:  How come your parents never complained about the fact that you don’t sleep till late? If you think about it, you will realise that if you yourself can't give up the wonders of the digital world, then how do you expect your child to think otherwise? To mould your child and help her forming a healthy bed time habit you can either change the way you live or let your child have her way. However, the second option is not so viable so it is better that you change your lifestyle. Simply switch off everything and switch off from everything. No gadgets in the bedroom, no lights on and create an ambience that is conducive to sleep.  

3. Be firm in your routine: No matter how much your child cries or throws tantrums, stay firm with the bed time routine. Before bed time – it is brushing, changing into the night suit and then hitting the bed and doing something to relax, like reading a light book or listening to some calming music. This is no time for fun and games. 

4. Share the responsibility: It takes two to become parents, and so the responsibility has to be shared by both - mom and dad. Both the parents should be aligned to making the child learn a good habit, so if you are putting your child to bed then the spouse should not be flouting the switch off rule. 

These are few of the tips that have helped me put my child to bed. Hope this will help you as well. If you have some more tips or ideas please do share in the comments section below. We will love to hear from you.