Reseting Children’s Schedules

Have you thought about reseting children’s schedules in your home?

There has been a lot going on over the last month; holiday celebrations, school vacation, visiting family & friends, pandemic stresses, and online school. 

If your family is anything like mine, your child’s schedule is all out of whack, or possibly non-existent. 

This often leads to exhausted children (and parents), and many an argument at bedtime. Disrupted schedules can also make getting to school and work in the morning difficult.

Not to fear, with a little attention schedules can be re-established. 

Here are a few tips to help get your child (and you) back into a schedule.

Screen-Free Time

Try to have screens (tv, computer, phone) at least an hour before bedtime. Even better is to have them all off for the two hours before bed. These devices can make it very difficult for our brains to relax and go to sleep. 

Some ideas to replace screen-time are board games, reading books, or even going for a walk. This is a habit that is great for everyone in the family to adopt. We all sleep better when we shut down our electronics for an hour or two before trying to sleep.

Bedtime Routine

Using the same relaxing bedtime routine each night helps your child’s body get ready for sleep. The consistency helps them to relax as they know what to expect. 

If you had a bedtime routine before the holidays, feel free to go back to it. For younger children you can use the same book or lullaby each night. While it may feel boring as an adult, children really thrive on the familiarity. 

Routine Sleep Times

We all sleep best when we have both a consistent bedtime, and a consistent wake time. Be honest with yourself about what time you and your child(ren) need to get up in the morning. 

Allow for enough time to get everything done in the morning without having to rush. No one likes to have to race through getting ready, especially children. It’s important to build in time for them to make decisions about which colour of mittens they want to wear, and to practice their skills such as getting all of their outdoor gear on. 

Consistency

As you can see with all of these tips, consistency is the key. It may take a bit of effort to get your kids back into a routine, but it is truly worth the work. Children thrive knowing what to expect, and are better able to learn and manage daily life if they have enough sleep.

Bonus Tip

Did you know that we as adults can benefit from all these tips as well? A consistent bedtime routine helps prepare our minds and bodies for sleep. Going to bed and getting up at the same time each day is ideal for getting a good night’s sleep. And of course avoiding screens for the last 1-2 hours before bed gives you the best chance at a restful sleep.

Remember; it won’t happen in just one night, but reseting children’s schedules is worth the effort. Anytime you find your family struggling with sleep you can go back to basics with these tips.

If you’re really struggling with your child’s sleep, you can book your free 15 Minute Call here: https://hello.dubsado.com:443/public/appointment-scheduler/613c101d1c61b1dd08996579/schedule