Children and adjusting with their bedtime
Majority of the children just don’t like bedtime and they keep dilly dallying going to the bed early. As parents, most of the times you will witness this kind of behavior, but we miss out the chance to catch our children’s perception. Visualize that you are reading a book and your wife calls out that its time to sleep. When you are being forced and you don’t feel good at that time. This is exactly how your child feels at times as well.
Yes it is true that a child by no means would think like an adult. But the fact also cannot be denied that a child experiences continuous growth and he/she also have some feelings. There is a stage where the child realizes the importance of independence. This marks the start of being an individual for the child and realizing about his potential.
It is not a big deal to go to the bed repeatedly as he/she might be worn-out. Nevertheless the feeling of commanding and when the things should be done gives a feeling that he/she is being controlled. Our reaction as an adult is also the same when we are ordered in the same way. The bedtime can be a really special time for both the parents and the child. There are times when the parents are so tired that they want their children to be asleep so that they have enough time for themselves.
But this very action can make the child to think that his/her parents are trying to avoid them. Following are some of the points that your child wants-
* To be respected and be heard.
* To proclaim his/her freedom.
* To be in control for what take place with him/her
* To be as close as possible to their parents.
Following are some of the methods through which you as a parent can help your child to go to the bed on time-
* Try and manage your day’s work schedule so that you are not tired up at the time of the bedtime of your child. Set the bedtime of your child in such a way that you can give adequate time to your partner.
* If it is feasible for you and your spouse to be present at the bedtime then it would be a good move.
* Get rid of the activities that could disturb the child.
* You should give advanced information to your child about the bedtime timings. This will allow your child to wind up what he/she would be doing.
* It would be better that you provide your child with different options instead of just commanding orders. Like during bath you can ask that should mother give you help or your father?
* You can set a bedtime habit like giving your child a good kiss, giving stuffed toys to hug, and telling a nice fairy tale. Make sure that you follow the same routine that will help in providing your child with a sense of security.
