2645: [Part 1] How to Create a Bedtime Routine For Your Kids and Get Them to Sleep by Cara Harvey on Parenting Sleep Advice

[00:00:00] Was hat eigentlich Sabines Aktiendepot mit Ingos Tor in der Kreisliga zu tun? Erstmal vorweg, natürlich schießt Geld keine Tore, aber in diesem Fall tut es das vielleicht. Sabine und Ingo sind nämlich beide Mitglieder bei uns Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken und dort zu Hause, wo wir Verantwortung tragen. Denn dank unserer genossenschaftlichen Idee bleibt das Geld in der Region und unterstützt Vereine vor Ort. So schießt Ingo weiter Tore und Sabine jubelt. Morgen kann kommen. Wir machen den Weg frei. Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken.

[00:00:58] So how do we do it? How can we get them to sleep and establish a bedtime routine that works? It's Thursday night, and it's Bible school night for our son. And this is just one of the weeknight things we are involved in depending on the season. Sometimes it's t-ball, softball for dad, etc. But regardless of the day of the week, bedtime battles are just not a thing in our house. So how does a bedtime routine help kids? Health

[00:01:25] Being a sleep-deprived mom during the first year of your baby's life, I am sure you can speak to the wonders it is when you get a full night's sleep. Sleep is a must for growing kids and minds. Their bodies rejuvenate and growth hormones are released. It strengthens their immune systems and minds. Research shows that children who go to bed after 9 o'clock p.m. take longer to fall asleep, wake more often at night, and get less overall sleep. Mood

[00:01:54] I know when my kiddos are fully rested they are happier, more active, and creative. When kids don't get enough sleep, they are more irritable and are prone to more behavioral problems. Security Our kids thrive on the fact that they know what's coming next. Our kids do well on routines, and most kids typically do. Routines give them a sense of security and help them develop self-discipline. What is the best way to establish a bedtime routine?

[00:02:22] With all of our kids, we found that starting a bedtime routine from a very young age was one of the best things we could have ever done. We have a large age gap between our kids. And even with that, it still works like wonders. Our 16-year-old prospers just as well as our 4- and 1-year-old does. Start a bedtime routine as an infant From birth, I started the bedtime routines. But it really doesn't establish itself until around the 6-week mark,

[00:02:50] when babies finally start to show signs of sleepiness and adjusting to the outside world. I will also add, we don't co-sleep, and all of my children have been in a separate bed from birth. The first couple of months the baby is in our room, but in a bassinet-slash-pack-and-play setup, and after a couple of months, I switch them to their own room into the crib, and with a full-screen baby monitor. This is the way we started our kids when they were babies.

[00:03:17] 7 p.m. bath-slash-lotion-slash-PJs, etc. Songs 7.30 p.m. bottle Wrap-slash-wearable sleep blanket Bed No matter what, we stick to bedtimes unless it's an activity night, but the same routine will happen in the same order, just at a later time. Consistency If there is one thing that I cannot stress enough, it is how consistency with a bedtime routine has made such a huge impact.

[00:03:46] Think about when your child is or was learning a new skill, such as their first words, actions, etc. Repeatedly, they were introduced or told how to say or do the skill. This very thing helps them to understand and master it. All of our kids can be told the very same words, no matter their age. When we tell them it's shower time, they immediately stop what they're doing and proceed to the kid's bathroom. Even my one-year-old, when told, okay, it's time to take a bath now,

[00:04:16] will climb the steps all the way to the bathroom and tries to brush her teeth. I could not make this stuff up if I tried. She literally climbs the stool and tries to reach for the toothbrush. How many hours should your kids sleep? There are many studies on how long babies, toddlers, kids, and teens should sleep. Also, a ton of sleep charts to help you determine the best amount. Babies need more sleep and then the chart adjusts as they grow. Adjusting the sleep routine as they grow.

[00:04:45] If you were to enter my home at 8pm on most days, again, when there are no activities, you won't find a kid in sight. Our teen will have already showered and is in her room, the toddler sleeping in his bed and the youngest in her crib. Now that the one-year-old can walk and she pretty much has all her teeth, our sleep routine has adjusted slightly in the fact that the teen must shower before the younger kids. I give the youngest a bath and then big brother takes a bath.

[00:05:11] The routine stays the same, except now from the previous baby routine, we have the following. 7pm bath time, PJs, brush, book, prayers, songs, and bed. To be continued. You just listened to part one of the post titled, How to Create a Bedtime Routine for Your Kids and Get Them to Sleep by Kara Harvey of APurposeDrivenMom.com

[00:05:42] All right, everyone. I'm going to save my commentary for tomorrow after we've wrapped up the whole post, but I hope you parents have taken something from this first part and that you're excited to hear the rest, because I'm excited to share the rest. So have a great rest of your Thursday, everyone, and until tomorrow, that's where your optimal life awaits. Let's take a moment... Thank you.