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Toddler bedtime battles can be the bane of a parental existence! If you have experienced a late-night temper tantrum, then you know how infuriating it can be. However, there are some secrets that you may not know, from the illusion of choice to creating a calm environment.
Craft a Consistent Routine
Children enjoy predictability and stability in life, and this extends to every facet of their day, including bedtime. They can be little angels when they learn a routine, as they come to know what to expect. Of course, you can look into sleep packages for toddlers if you feel you need extra help. However, you have more power than you think! The same sequence each night will help build a consistent routine that becomes second nature to your babies for minimal stress.
The Illusion of Choice
Fortunately, toddlers don’t have the reasoning skills to deduce when they are being fooled, and you can use this to your advantage. Children are much more agreeable when they are getting their own way, and this is easily exploited by giving them choices, albeit in ones that work in your favour. For example, you can let them pick a book if they agree to go to bed, or you can offer two favourable times they can choose to change into their PJs to avoid a showdown!
Avoid Toddler Bedtime Battles by Winding Down
Around 25% of parents have problems getting their kids to sleep, so it’s not uncommon. While kids have a lot of energy, it is limited, and they enjoy winding down in the evening just as much as we do. The difference is that they don’t understand that evening is for bedtime when they just want to play. A bedtime routine that brings comfort is powerful, and this includes removing tech from their space. Quiet talk, reading and soft play can drain the last of their batteries!
Create a Relaxing Sleep Environment
Like adults, children need a calm and relaxing space to sleep well. A dark, cool and tidy space will help your toddlers get off to a great sleep. Of course, they may not like the dark so much, but this is where it gets fun. You can, of course, install a night light for the kids. However, there are tons of projection devices that can transform the room into a sensory experience for the kids. Star projectors that play melodies are particularly popular with toddlers for sleeping.
Stay Calm and Hold Firm
For the most part, toddlers mirror what they see and hear. This is evident in how they speak, including using bad words, and how they behave towards others. They are a reflection of the people in their lives, such as parents, grandparents, siblings and friends. Because of this, the worst thing you can do when you want to avoid a bedtime showdown is get angry, which will typically result in them doing the same. So stay calm and insist on the boundaries you set.
Summary
A routine that includes what they need to do each night will help you avoid toddler bedtime battles and teach the kids the skills they need. Winding down with a talk or a book session will help them expend some final energy, and above all, stay calm when they are challenged.
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