Being there for your kids - Bed Time Can Be The Best Time

Episode Date: May 18, 2019

If getting your child to bed is World War III, how's that working for you? Bedtime can be the best time with your child, depending on how you structure it. Give her some settle down time, where she can transition from the day to snuggling in bed. This is where you talk about your days, read stories, sing lullabys, and get all of the stall tactics out of the way. After settle down time, consider using what I call the "Snuggle Bunny," as a calming technique. Structuring your child's bedtime in this manner will help convert it from a battle zone to the best...time...ever, for both of you.

Hi, I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. Is there any time during the day more important for kids than bedtime? I don't think so. Actually, it's not a time, but a process. It's a one-on-one with a parent, and parents can take turns. It's a special time with each child in the family having a separate, designated bedtime. In family life, it's a settled-down time. Okay, sweetheart, at the end of this show, turn off the television, and let's get started to bed. Mom prompted her eight-year-old daughter Bethany, giving her lead time to make the transition.

But Mama, what about? Bethany began to protest, but her mom cut her off. Uh-uh-uh, uh-uh. Don't do this, darling. You know the rules. Yes, Mama, Bethany turned her attention back to the TV to squeeze every ounce out of her day before going to bed. Well-intentioned parents teach their children early to put themselves to bed. What? And give up such quality time with your child? other parents let their child play, irritate their brother, watch TV or game on their iPad or computer until the very last minute. Why allow a child to ramp up right before trying to go to sleep? Other parents tolerate an abundance of stall tactics from a child who doesn't want to go to bed. Settle down time with your child is a precious gift both from you to her but also from her to you.

With both my kids as they grew up and now with my grandkids when I'm called to duty, I try to allow up to 30 minutes of settle down time with each child. That's time for talking about our days, active listening, telling or reading stories, being playful and funny. As settled down time is closing, especially if I notice my child is stalling, I shift from more proactive focus. With preschoolers, I talk about the snuggle bunny who helps children be still and be silent. Even hyperactive kids will fall asleep within three minutes if they are still and silent. My snuggle bunny is a glistening white bunny who likes to snuggle next to the small of your back. However, he will only stay there if you are completely still and silent.

You can feel the warmth that tells you that he's there, but if you try to look, he will scoot away and you will never see him. What is settled down time? It's time for TLC, talking, listening, and cuddling. I'm Dr. Jonathan C. Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist and Christian author, author of Teachable Moments, Building Box of Christian Parenting, and this has been Teachable Moments. Teachable Moments, building blocks of Christian parenting,

is available online at AmazonBooks.com and in local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at TMP-I-N-C.com.