My son can't seem to calm down right before bed

[ElV]

Every night there seems to be a battle to get my son to settle down and get ready for bed. He is so busy playing sound effects to even hear me telling him it is time to go and get ready for bed. I Need some ideas.

[toniandrobbie]

 I am in the same boat as you.... Its like talking toa wall sometimes.. If any on can help that would be great....

 

[peanutmom]

One idea is to tell him he has 7 more minutes to play before it's time to start getting ready for bed.  Using an different number of minutes (rather than 5 or 10) helps the number stick in their minds and remember it better--and if he needs it, let him set a timer--when the timer goes off, it's time to put his things away, or you can help him--and then he can go get ready for bed. 

My son sometimes likes to beat a timer---I et a timer for 10 or 15 minutes, and if he gets ready before the timer goes off, he gets an extra story before bed.  :o)

What worked for my son, starting when he was really little, was to have a consistent bedtime routine.  He had a little snack, then a bath (the warm water really relaxed my son when he was younger) then into pajamas, teeth brushed, story in his bedroom.  

He's 11 now, and  still has a cd/radio combo in his room, and I turn on a relaxing music CD (it's been the same CD since he was about 3 years old!)  I turn on his night light,  tuck him in, we say a prayer or two, and he goes to sleep.   Now that he's older, he takes a shower in the morning when he wakes up instead of a bath the night before, but the rest of the bedtime routine is still the same.

Whatever your routine,  turn off all screen time (TV, Computer, video games) a couple hours before bed--do a quiet activity before his bedtime routine.  A routine usually helps kids slow down and prepare for bedtime. 

Hope these ideas help! 

 

 

[toniandrobbie]

 Thank you I will have to try this. im gonna have to go get a timer and see how it works...