Making Bedtime a Peaceful Transition

We are firm believers in helping our children get the recommended amount of sleep. I notice a huge difference when my kids are well rested. They are pleasant to be around, not as crabby and much more helpful.

Our bedtime ritual starts after dinner. We play really hard for an hour to get the energy all out. Then, it is off to the bathroom for a nice bath or shower. They each choose one to two books depending on how long they take to get ready for bed. We end with a song or two, a ten minute back rub and a goodnight kiss.

The back rub is the trick. Mason who is four loves it when I “brush” his legs. It relaxes him whereas when I have not given him a massage, he forces himself to stay up. I have also found he opens up more about things that are bothering him. There are nights when they are harder to keep in bed, but taking the extra time to keep peace makes our home happier.