How can I implement "quiet time". I am a quiet person but my partner is not and that seems to have trickled onto my children aged 4 and 2. When the sun goes down my children become these loud monsters its not just screaming its that they in general talk loud, i have asked them kindly to be quiet, i turn the house into a pit of darkness to encourage them to be quiet, ive tried to play a whisper game and nothing is working. I also have a 6mth old which is the reason for needing them to be quiet so he can sleep. Any suggestions I am willing to try?
3 Replies
I generally find when my kids get really loud they are already over tired and need to be in bed themselves.
But quiet time needs to be quiet activities. Eg reading books in there own rooms. Practice it during the day for a few minutes at a time. I also find dimming lights really helps set the mood. The 2 year old might have difficulty with the concept though. At that age quiet time for us was in the cot with a couple of toys and books for company.
But by 7-7:30 my kid at that age was in bed asleep. My niece who is just 5 is in bed by 7pm.
Depending on what time dark is where you live it might be worth adjusting everyone's bedtime.
do you mean at bedtime? I would introduce either bedtimes or beds in the lounge, far away from each other, that they need to be in and if they want to stay there with you they have to be quiet. Do snacks, water, teeth, toilet, book, chatter, make sure absolutely everything is done and when you say goodnight thats the end, no more talking, everything else waits until the next day.
All kids are monsters when it's dark lol. Quiet time is a time during the day for them to settle down and relax, whether it be reading a book, having a nap, doing another quiet activity. Night time is hectic, I just try to implement a routine of dinner, bath or shower for relaxing time, a drink and book and then bed.