ADVICE RATING |
  4.11 (Worth a try) from 33 votes (4733 Visits) |
|
|
Toddler Night-time routine - tips to make it easier |
 |
by Jackie  (February 2006) (rank 447th) |
|
As all parents know the time between 6pm and 7.30pm at night is always manic. Often you have had a hard day at work and just want to relax but you also know your toddlers time clock is so sensitive - if you have a blow out then your in 
big trouble.
We have a 2.5yr old and we noticed recently that since the busy christmas period our bedtime routine for Max was out of control and totally ad hoc.
My husband and I discussed ideas on how we could improve to ensure a more disciplined approach which would be kinder to us and would also ensure our son gets everything he needs. The following are some tips which may help others...
1. No major physcial activity from 6pm onwards - that means no swings/park etc
2. Tape the news - we found ourselves trying to juggle things around the 7.00pm news. Now we tape it and know we can watch it in peace once Max has gone to sleep.
3. Target dinner 6.30-7.00 - any later and he is over it
4. A promise of a bed-time story before bed - this not only achieves a basic educational benefit but also helps to motivate dinner & bathtime
5. Be flexible on weekends/ special occasions - but always try and return to our base routine
Our goal is for our son to be in bed by 7.30pm
So far so good but as any parent of a toddler knows it is a constant game.
