Search this site:
Recent blog posts
The Unexpected!
Illicit dealings?
How to define “needs” vs. “wants” and teach our teens something about spending and saving in the proces
Family Meetings and Teaching Financial Literacy
Financial Lessons for Teens
Kids and Allowance
“Firsts” and Teen Independence – Part I
Bittersweet
more
Home
Articles
Events
Media
Workshops & Lectures
Links
News
Staff
Contact Us
The Parent Report interview
Julie Ross discusses why it's important to make TV time, family time.
more
Battling the Bedtime Blues - Part II
By:
Julie Ross, M.A.
<p>In Part I we talked about the importance of instituting a consistent bedtime routine in order to help your child stay in bed. But what happens if your child is still getting out of bed numerous times during the evening? </p> <p>There are two more things to try prior to the disciplinary technique which will follow. </p> <p>1) Eliminate sugar prior to bedtime, especially chocolate. Chocolate has caffeine, and sugar stimulates your child. Both of these can make it difficult for your child to fall asleep. </p> <p>2) Eliminate TV prior to bedtime. Many parents believe that TV helps make their child sleepy. In reality, however, while TV is a passive medium, it can over stimulate your child's mind and result in difficulty going to bed, a less than restful sleep, and sometimes vivid (and even nightmarish) dreams. A far more effective solution to helping your child become drowsy is reading a book, or talking a bit before bedtime. </p> <p>When you've tried all of the above, and your child is still having difficulty staying in bed, it's time to use discipline. </p> <p>Disciplining your child in a way which will help him stay in bed involves setting firm limits, and helping him take responsibility for his actions. While no parent (or technique) can force a child to go to sleep, parents do have the right (and responsibility) of determining what time their child will go to bed. Once the child is in bed, he should be expected to stay there, even if he doesn't go right off to sleep. </p> <p>First, make sure that your child's needs are taken care of. For example, make sure she's gone to the bathroom, has her teddy bear and that there is a drink of water by her bedside. This initial step insures that there are no "legitimate" excuses for getting out of bed. Many a parent is swayed by the child who says "But I have to go to the bathroom", even if it is the fifth time it's been used that evening. When you're sure that her needs are satisfied, you will be more confident in employing the technique to keep her in bed. And as you will see, confidence plays a crucial role. If you come across to your child as less than confident (both in her ability to go to bed, and in your own decision that it's bedtime) then your child will push you to the limit, and the technique may well fail. </p> <p>The Technique: </p><div class="item-list"><ul class="pager"><li class="pager-current first">1</li> <li class="pager-item"><a href="/node/76?page=2" title="Go to page 2" class="active">2</a></li> <li class="pager-item"><a href="/node/76?page=3" title="Go to page 3" class="active">3</a></li> <li class="pager-next"><a href="/node/76?page=2" title="Go to next page" class="active">next ›</a></li> <li class="pager-last last"><a href="/node/76?page=3" title="Go to last page" class="active">last »</a></li> </ul></div></div> <div class="clear-block clear"></div> </div> </div><!-- /inner-content --> </div><!-- /squeeze-content --> </div><!-- /squeeze --> </div><!-- /main --> <div id="sidebar-right"> <div class="block block-block" id="block-block-6"> <div class="content"><p style="text-align: left;"><a class="picture" href="http://www.shezoom.com/julierossnewsletter" target="_blank"><img src="../files/images/shezoomlogo2.jpg" alt="Signup for Julie Ross's free video newsletter" width="150" height="173" /></a></p> </div> </div> <div class="block block-block" id="block-block-4"> <div class="content"><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071545891?ie=UTF8&tag=parentinghori-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0071545891"><img src="../files/images/porcupine100X150.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312141130?ie=UTF8&tag=parentinghori-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312141130"><img src="../files/images/jerk.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0962722669?ie=UTF8&tag=parentinghori-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0962722669"><img src="../files/images/PracticalParenting.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a></p> <script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=parentinghori-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"> </script><p><noscript><br /> <img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=parentinghori-20" alt="" /><br /> </noscript></p> </div> </div> </div> </div><!-- /middle-container --> <div style="clear:both"></div> <div id="footer"> <br /> </div><!-- /footer --> <div style="clear:both"></div> </div> <!-- /page --> </body> </html>
Julie Ross discusses why it's important to make TV time, family time.