Sleeping

Eating
Sleeping
Crying
Toilet Training
Biting, Hitting, Bullying
Tantrums
Sharing
Attention Deficit Disorder
Discipline

Sleeping

How do you handle a child who won't go to sleep at the established bedtime hour? This can be a difficult problem for parents, especially during the summer when it gets dark later.

Parents may not be certain whether a child won't go to bed for fear of the dark or simply to stay awake longer. To avoid the bedtime battles, parents should talk to their child to understand the child's reluctance.

If a child is afraid of monsters under the bed or has anxiety about the darkness or separation, parents should be supportive and reassure the child that there is nothing to fear. Children who refuse to go to bed because of recurring nightmares may need to be evaluated by a pediatrician to determine the underlying cause of the problem.

However, if a child is simply trying to challenge his parents into letting him stay up later, then parents must be assertive by setting limits and being consistent in enforcing the bedtime hour. When the bedtime rules are clear and parents stand firm in their decisions, many children will be less likely to argue about bedtime.

It is important to establish a "getting ready for bed" routine that lets children know what to expect. The routine can include such tasks as changing clothes, going to the bathroom and brushing teeth. With rare exceptions, this bedtime regimen should not change.

Reading to children immediately after placing them in bed is also important because it becomes a pleasant routine that settles the child down and provides parents with one-on-one time with the child.

It also may be helpful for parents to explain to their children that they need to go to bed early to be well rested and ready for a new day of activities in the morning. Parents also should explain that mommy and daddy need their own time - after the kids have gone to bed - to relax and unwind from the pressures of the day.

Getting your children to go to bed shouldn't be a daily struggle. By establishing a specific bedtime and explaining the reasons for it, parents will help their children learn the importance of getting a good night's sleep.

Parent's Bed: Off Limits

After a scary movie or during a loud thunderstorm, parents tend to make exceptions and let their child sleep with them for the night. While parents allow boundaries to be crossed in their attempt to make the child feel safe, the benefits of a child's own bed are lost.

"A necessary part of the developmental process is learning to sleep without a parent," said Tracy Underwood, a psychologist at Children's Medical Center of Dallas. Children learn to self-soothe and gain a sense of mastery and confidence. Mastery is empowering, and they learn they can self-comfort in other situations when parents are unavailable.

"Allowing a child into a parent's bed can also contribute to equalizing the parent-child relationship and blurring the boundaries," Underwood said.

If this practice already has become routine and parents want to change it, they must fully commit their efforts in weaning the habit. Provide bedtime warnings and establish a consistent routine.

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© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.

Eating Sleeping Crying Toilet Training Biting, Hitting, Bullying Tantrums Sharing Attention Deficit Disorder Discipline		Sleeping How do you handle a child who won't go to sleep at the established bedtime hour? This can be a difficult problem for parents, especially during the summer when it gets dark later. Parents may not be certain whether a child won't go to bed for fear of the dark or simply to stay awake longer. To avoid the bedtime battles, parents should talk to their child to understand the child's reluctance. If a child is afraid of monsters under the bed or has anxiety about the darkness or separation, parents should be supportive and reassure the child that there is nothing to fear. Children who refuse to go to bed because of recurring nightmares may need to be evaluated by a pediatrician to determine the underlying cause of the problem. However, if a child is simply trying to challenge his parents into letting him stay up later, then parents must be assertive by setting limits and being consistent in enforcing the bedtime hour. When the bedtime rules are clear and parents stand firm in their decisions, many children will be less likely to argue about bedtime. It is important to establish a "getting ready for bed" routine that lets children know what to expect. The routine can include such tasks as changing clothes, going to the bathroom and brushing teeth. With rare exceptions, this bedtime regimen should not change. Reading to children immediately after placing them in bed is also important because it becomes a pleasant routine that settles the child down and provides parents with one-on-one time with the child. It also may be helpful for parents to explain to their children that they need to go to bed early to be well rested and ready for a new day of activities in the morning. Parents also should explain that mommy and daddy need their own time - after the kids have gone to bed - to relax and unwind from the pressures of the day. Getting your children to go to bed shouldn't be a daily struggle. By establishing a specific bedtime and explaining the reasons for it, parents will help their children learn the importance of getting a good night's sleep. Parent's Bed: Off Limits After a scary movie or during a loud thunderstorm, parents tend to make exceptions and let their child sleep with them for the night. While parents allow boundaries to be crossed in their attempt to make the child feel safe, the benefits of a child's own bed are lost. "A necessary part of the developmental process is learning to sleep without a parent," said Tracy Underwood, a psychologist at Children's Medical Center of Dallas. Children learn to self-soothe and gain a sense of mastery and confidence. Mastery is empowering, and they learn they can self-comfort in other situations when parents are unavailable. "Allowing a child into a parent's bed can also contribute to equalizing the parent-child relationship and blurring the boundaries," Underwood said. If this practice already has become routine and parents want to change it, they must fully commit their efforts in weaning the habit. Provide bedtime warnings and establish a consistent routine.
		COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS \| YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT PARENTING CHALLENGES \| RESOURCES AND INFORMATION \| ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BACK TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION \| RETURN TO PRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE
		Missed A Program? Healthworks on Videotape If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.
		© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.