Recommended Reading

Little Kids, Big Questions

• Start your routine before school begins. Bedtime routines can actually begin a few weeks before the school year starts.

This allows you to get your child in the habit of winding down, doing homework, brushing teeth, laying out clothes for tomorrow, packing a school bag with supplies, lunch etc. Bath time, story time, and then lights off.

• Create a Bedtime Routine. Kids operate really well on routines and time lines, and when the routine is consistent, it builds confidence in the child and helps make them feel secure. After a week on a routine, you won’t have to ask your child to go to bed; they will be watching the clock and following the steps you’ve outlined.

• Elementary school kids need lots of sleep and if you’ll tuck them in bed by 8:00pm they’ll train themselves to sleep longer, be well rested and less cranky during the day.
  
  A suggested evening routine for elementary school kids is:
  
  6:00pm – Dinner
  6:30pm – Coloring, homework, game time
  7:00pm – Chores, laying out clothes for tomorrow, packing lunch
  7:30pm – Bath, teeth brushed
  7:45pm – Story time, reading
  8:00pm – Lights off
  
  As your kids get older you may want to stretch the limits on the lights off until 9:00pm – but don’t let your kids stay up all night. As a parent, you need your time alone, and your kids need their sleep. The evening is NO time for movies and television programs that never end.
   

• Watch Movies One Night A Week. If you love movies, pick a weekend night and let the kids stay up all night watching videos or TV. That one night becomes a cherished night full of fun memories and gives the child something to look forward to. (When kids watch random television every night, it’s not special, it’s not fun and they bore of it easily. Make it a special occasion, rather than a babysitter.)

Angela Oberer © 2008, Oberer is the author of the "Be Well Series".  You can send your questions and comments to her at: Angela@WordsofWellness.com