Hi mums, after some advice on changing my 5 year olds bedtime routine.
For a number of reasons including shift work and a newborn baby in the house my son now falls asleep each night in our bed watching TV and then we move him into his bed asleep. I am desperate to change the habit. He either falls asleep straight away (usually goes down at 7.00), or he is up until about 10.00 or when I go up and turn the TV off and cuddle him. When he stays up he usually plays with whatever he can find, makes cubbies with blankets and pillows etc as there are no toys in there until I go up and stop it (repeatedly).
He has started school this year and we need to to get him into a better routine now. New shift change coming which will mean my husband will be home by 7.00 each night to help.
Has anyone ever gone through this process and can give any advice on how to transition him back to no TV and in his own bed each night? Thanks in advance ❤️
Help with 5 year old bedtime
Help with 5 year old bedtime
Posted in:
Kids
4 Replies
Yes, go sit next to his bed with him until he goes to sleep. Once he is in the routine start leaving the room when he is close to sleep. When he is used to that, start leaving once he is relaxed etc.
We do dinner at 5.30-6, then bath, brush teeth, pjs on. Mess around a bit, find toys, books, eat fruit, Etc etc and bedtime at 7. Hop into bed, talk about the day and tomorrow and whatever she wants, then read two books (no more talking) then kiss, say goodnight and walk out.
It's taken ages but now she's asleep within minutes every time and I can even.put her in there with one quick book or even none if the baby's crying too much, just say goodnight sweetdreams.
It's just repetition and consistency.
Hmm. We just did this for our 4yr old. Same reasons. He has been watching bedtime movies forever. We simply put the movie on earlier in the night. When its finished ( we check how long movie is and start movie according to finish time being 7. Then its bath story and bed. this works for us.
At 5 he is old enough to be told there is a new routine and he has to go to sleep in his own bed from now on. You make the rules and he needs to understand this. Maybe put some music on for him in his room if he's used to falling asleep with Tv noise and make it a nice time beforehand where one of you reads a book and chats about his day. Then lights out and that's it