“But I’m Not Tired!” – 5 Clever Ways to Get The Blighters to Sleep

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Bedtime. It can be a relaxing wind down after a busy day and signal the start of your hard earned “me time”. Sometimes though, it’s a royal pain. If your little blighters are prone to  “but muuum, I’m not tired”s, are allergic to pyjamas or pull frequent night-time tantrums, we have some clever tips to help them toddle off to the Land of Nod with no whinges. Giving you the chance for some well-earned recreational bingo and telly time!

1. Choices, Choices, Choices

Making kids feel like they’re in charge of their bedtime, without giving them control is key to a successful, struggle-free sleepy time. Clear, “either/or” decisions will help your little one feel like they’re choosing their bedtime routine while you hold all the cards! Make sure the choices you offer your sleepyhead are simple and closed – not open ended, which could prompt bedtime silliness and frustration. A few examples could include:

• Would you like a bath or do you want to go straight to bed?
• Would you like to wear your onesie or you teddy bear pyjamas?
• Do you want to read Dr Seuss or read a new book?
• Shall we count sheep or space monkeys to get to sleep?

2. Keep Cool

This is a slightly weird, but brilliantly simple tip. Studies have shown that temperature plays a big part in regulating sleep. When we drift off, our body temperatures drop. As you’ll probably know from hot nights on holiday, it’s really difficult to get decent shut eye if you are too hot. Make sure your child isn’t too warm at bedtime. As lovely as tucking them in with blankets and teddies may be, keeping them a little cooler can promote easier, deeper sleep.

3. Lights Out!

Light levels also play a big part in promoting good, natural sleep. That’s why avoiding telly and laptop screens for 2 hours before bedtime is a big snooze-booster. Here’s a fun way to get your little ones off to the land of nod, whilst playing a nice evening game.

It’s not one for every bedtime, but if you’re ready for playtime and want to get your little ones snoring, issue all family members with a torch and hit the lights an hour before bedtime. Use candles too, if you’re feeling fire safety ready. Conduct your normal bedtime routine by lamplight, these low light levels will have tots dreaming in no time.

4. Hide & Sleep

If your little ones have more trouble with getting through the bedtime routine than the actual sleeping bit, here’s a fun way to get them ready for bed. Take 5 minutes to collect their bedtime items: toothbrushes, pyjamas, slippers – and hide them around the house. Set your children a challenge to find them and get them read for bed in the process!

5. Save the Best ’til Last

Again, if your little darlings are not particularly bedtime compliant, saving the best bit of bedtime ’til last can be a great incentive to get them all tucked up. Whether they love a bedtime story, listening to music, playing a relaxing game or something in between – save it until last and make sure it’s an activity they can complete while cuddled up in bed. This will encourage them to get ready and put them in the perfect position to drift off once the fun’s been done!