You know bedtime doesn’t have to be a hassle … seriously! Why not make bedtime fun for all, with a game of Bedtime Wars?
After having many battles of not getting my sons to sleep on time, taking two hours to fall asleep and so many other bedtime issues; we started a routine. This bedtime routine has slightly changed as the boys got older, but always remains some form of consistent routine. I say “boys”, because my first born was always pretty flexible with schedule so I didn’t have to be rigid, but those boys of mine? Oh they need some major ground rules and routine set forth in order to be well behaved little boys!
What is Bedtime Wars?
One of the things I started doing with my sons before bedtime is this 6-10 minute playtime, usually around 8 minutes average. I realized that I had a time once the boys sleep that I spent with my daughter, but the boys didn’t have any special time with Mama. This had to change! I started a play choice time before we did the normal bedtime routine; it was called “boys choice time” but really it is the youngest boy’s choice with the exception of allowing the older son to choose if he is wanting to take part in that process {he doesn’t always express interest in the decision process on boys choice time}.
Bedtime wars actually started by accident, you know because the kids were doing some “boys choice time” outside with me and didn’t want to go inside when time was up. The kids ran up the hill and adults were not allowed on the top of the hill. Oh they thought they were super funny! I finally got them to come inside to continue on in bedtime routine, but we then made this a fun game for “boys choice time” and every so often the boys choose this Bedtime Wars as their play time.
The kids get a “base” and any adults playing get their “base”; no adults are allowed at the kids base and the key of the game is for all three kids to get from their base to the other side of the lawn at a rock. If all three kids make it there, then they win. There’s a hitch to it … adults who tag the child means that the child goes into a “jail” area where only another kid can tag the child out of jail …. this is such a fun game we play together. It involves lots of running, lots of laughing and recently the kids added another twist to it – they like to do a huddle before making a run for the rock and sometimes they enjoy pretending to be various animals, zombies and more!
Tips for Peaceful Bedtime with Kids
In all honesty, the one thing I found that finally allowed for my kids to get some sleep and go to bed within half hour versus the prior two hours; was to set forth a routine that worked for us. Every single night, with the exception of Family Friday Night, these kids have the same routine. Honestly, within two weeks of starting a bedtime routine, I could get the boys to sleep at 6pm without even realizing. We just start the routine and boom the kids end up asleep, mostly the boys, my oldest will watch the clock and be like “oh no way, it is not my bedtime yet!” so I don’t even try with her. I am sure the boys will eventually get to the point where I have to switch up the routine again, but for now my tips for other parents struggling with bedtime wars is this:
- Incorporate a solid routine for after dinner; once we serve dinner the remainder of the night is very expected and routine driven.
- Add book reading into the mix; whether you read to your child or they read to you, reading a book before bed has been a part of the trio’s bedtime routine since birth and they LOVE books.
- Think about what’s important for each child when planning and setting your routine.
- Be open for changes in the routine as children grow.
I must be honest, setting forth a solid routine and sticking to it, NO MATTER WHAT, has really helped to allow me some alone time at the end of the night to work, sit in silence or do whatever. This alone time I have after the kids are asleep is priceless, because I am able to rejuvenate after a long day of juggling work, kids and life!
Do you have a bedtime routine? Do share what works for your family!
What a fun bedtime routine! I have an only child and he has always been a strange one… I’ve never had to fight with him to go to bed. I know, crazy! It’s true, at least 90% of the time over the last 12 years, he is ready to go to bed when it’s time to go to bed. My s-i-l has 3 boys and she has a time getting them to go to bed though, so I’ll share this with her, I know my nephews would love a bedtime war. 🙂
Bedtime War sounds like a fun game! It’s always nice to do something as a family like that.
I agree a routine I think is so important for kids to have while growing up. I think it gives them a sense of security – knowing what is expected.
I have been really lucky. My girls put themselves to bed each night by themselves and they range from ages 4-10. Of course the main routine is cleaning up and then going to the bathroom.
We do have a bedtime routine. Baths, bedtime stories and then kids go to bed at different times because we have some kiddos sharing. If they all go at once there’s no peace!
Getting kids to go to bed at a certain time can be very hard. I have heard from many mothers that a routine always helps.
I divide and conquer…there is NO way to set a time for both to go because they keep each other up, so I put one to sleep first at 7:30 and then the other at 8:30.
We have a bedtime routine. I love snuggling up next to my son while he just talks to me.
I am very thankful that kiddo was super easy on the bedtime ritual. We rarely had a problem and that was usually because she was just too wound up. We learned early on to have ‘calm down time’ hours before bedtime. No food or water after a certain time, which greatly helped. Generally once her head hit the pillow, she was out.
I wish we could conquer this, my husband has to sit in the room with them until they are asleep each night still.
We used to be so good at our routines and now we have gotten off track and it’s crazy at night, I have to do something!!