From Hide & Seek to "Please go to sleep!"

Late on Saturday night the kids decided to play hide and seek, a few games into it and in the middle of a game, Daddy decided it was time for bed. This led me to question his abrupt ending to their game, and my asking him to let them finish the game that he had been helping them perfect. I then started to think about warnings, as he told them 'last game!'

Considering transitioning stages I pondered on moving from one activity to the next and what effects this has on the children if they have no idea of what is coming next or how long they have to finish what they are doing. I strongly believe you should always let them know what is happening and give them a time warning.

I know that I would be extremely frustrated if I was in the middle of a good book or a project and someone told me to put it away and go to bed right then and there, without warning. You can make bedtime fun by creating an effective environment for the situation.

Establish a routine and make it a ritual, get the kids to help and be partners with them in the decision process, let them choose their pjs, their Teddy, which story to read - the routine could be pjs on, brush your teeth, story time then lights out. Just to give you an example.

According to the National Sleep Foundation parents today don't focus all that much on how much sleep kids need or if they are getting enough sleep. The focus tends to be more on what has been achieved throughout the day. "It is important for children not to have lack of sleep." - says the National Institute of Health.

Keep the bedrooms dark, avoid distractions and temptations by keeping computers and t.v's out of the rooms. Our parents didn't have the access that we do today to numerous sleep studies, but one thing they did know is that "kids really do need their sleep."

Regular routines and strict bedtimes may fend off teen depression. Late nights can lead to serious mental issues in children. Children should learn the rules of good sleep. Turn the computer off by a certain time, ban electronic devices from the bedroom during the cooling down time prior to bed. According to journals of sleep patterns, children need time to cool down, unplug and unwind. It is important to keep the same wake/sleep schedule, weekdays & weekends. Don't let bedtime vary by more than an hour.

This is what we are working on achieving in our home at present, I had to remove ds' & ipods last night and some of the children have informed me that it feels like boarding school, even though they have never been to one. In saying that, they were all up early this morning and arguments were minimised because they knew what was happening.

What bedtime routines & rituals do you follow in your household?