Ways to Help Kids Wind Down For BedTime

If bedtime is a crazy time in your house, you are looking for any and all suggestions to make the madness stop. Here are some ways to help bring opn the calm at bedtime in your home.

Depending on your child's age, a journal may help. Kids may enjoy writing down their thoughts about the day in a special book you both pick out at the store. Not only will this help bring the excitement level down, it will sharpen writing and thinking skills. Double score!

What do you want to wind down? Does a back rub sound nice? Your kids may like one, too. Not only is this a great bonding activity, but the soothing and calming wind down can be a great time to quietly discuss school issues.

Give your child an evening snack. Something warm such as oatmeal, or even something cool such as applesauce make great bedtime snacks.

The classic story time is usually pretty good at getting kids to wind down. If you have an older child, try reading a chapter book. Read a chapter nightly and your child may even look forward to this nighttime regimen.

Make sure to make winding down easier by cutting out TV or other electronics right before bed. Instead, allow your child to play imaginatively and quietly with non-electronic toys 1-2 hours before bed.

Get in a routine. When kids know when to expect bedtime, they will naturally start to get tired and calmer when the time draws near. Make sure you always stick to the schedule.