Routines save us a lot of headaches! They help us to stay on track and stay on time, as well as get used to the day to day without having to put any extra effort in, and they’re the best way to help keep the kids on the straight and narrow. They eliminate excess stress, and they can make things feel normal, calm, and peaceful.
That is, until the day when your kids decide they hate their routine! Suddenly, your perfect, stress busting routine becomes the very thing it was meant to beat, and you’ve got a lot more on your plate. And when your kids decide they hate getting ready for bed, well, all hope can seem lost… However, before you write off the routine altogether, make sure you keep these tips in mind.
Factor in Some Wind Down Time
If your kids hate having to go from playing with their toys or watching some TV to immediately getting into bed, it’s time to factor in a half hour where you allow them to calm and settle down. And there are quite a few ways to get kids to calm their energy, especially after a long day!
So in this time, get out a big story book and read to them, or get them to relax by putting on some gentle music as they go about their night time routine. You could even go through some breathing techniques together.
Get an Outside Authority to Weigh in
If your kids won’t listen to you about what they need to do before bed, then get someone else to weigh in for you! It’s simple; if your kid hates to brush their teeth, and you often catch them skipping using a toothbrush altogether, mention this behaviour to the orthodontist the next time you go.
Now this works on all levels! They can use a friendly yet firm approach to help your child understand the importance of oral hygiene, and essentially, you’ve got a widely accepted authority figure to back you up totally for free.
Never Move From the Boundaries You’ve Set
Finally, once you’ve set a night time routine, try not to stray from it. Kids need time to adjust, yes, but they also need consistency for things to really set in. It’s important to allow your children a bit of wiggle room here and there, in case they’re ill or it’s been a bit of a weird day, but the lines of the routine should be the same.
So start the routine at the same time each night, even on weekends if you feel the need to, and try to reach each milestone in the routine every single time. Even if it takes longer than it has to, the fact that the framework remains the same is what your child will remember and take to heart.
If your kids hate having to get ready for bed, don’t despair. Stick to your guns and even get some help!
This is a collaborative post
