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On the surface, sleeping is a series of tasks to check: pajamas, teeth, books, kisses.
But for kids and parents, it's also a tricky shift from one day's activity to one night's rest, from being together to being apart.
Routine can fall into a time trap at any time.
Here's a guide to avoid the biggest obstacles: Kids are smart enough to know that brushing your teeth in their pajamas will light up sooner or later --out.
So this is their first place to drag high heels.
"They 've been boycotting my schedule," says Michelle Dixon of Aptos, California, who is the mother of 8-year-old Blake and 6-year-old Paige.
When Dixon said it was time to brush his teeth, Page replied, "I'm not ready yet.
Or "what am I doing . "
"Or a classic lie," I have already said.
She would rather continue dancing than dye her hair.
"She wants to work together, but she really wants to work together on her terms.
"In order to resolve the conflict, Dickson first sympathized with page, and yes, it was difficult to stop an interesting project.
She then offered what she called "freedom within the structure ".
"I said, 'Do you want to brush your teeth before or after the story?
"If page makes her choice, she tends to stick to it. Make a chart.
You'll be surprised to find that it takes a few minutes to make this damn thing and how fast you earn it back.
Check it out when he puts on his pajamas, goes to the toilet and brushes his teeth.
Illustrate each step with a small drawing or a photo of him happily completing the task.
If picking pajamas is overwhelming, let him make a schedule: blue pajamas on Monday and Wednesday, yellow pajamas on other nights.
Prepare yourself to sleep.
Challenge your child to the competition and let him win in order to get the best results.
Provide your attention as an incentive.
"I'll tell you a story about my childhood when you're ready to sleep. Let him choose for himself.
If he doesn't brush his teeth, let him pick the toothpaste.
Try an electric toothbrush or a hand-held toothbrush that flashes for 60 seconds.
Show your child your own filling.
After eating, let him look at his teeth in the mirror and explain that the food left on his teeth can lead to tooth decay.
The pajamas are worn on top and the teeth are clean, but, naturally, the strength of resistance continues.
One way to keep the kids active is to make sleeping more fun, no.
Provide crying sleep solutions for young children and preschool children.
"Yes, you are very tired, but have a good time (but organized)
Pantelly, the mother of pre-school children and three teenagers, said routine bedtime does not require more time than intense, disorderly.
Because humor can reduce the power struggle, it is likely to make your daily life faster.
Try to get the plush toy to put him to bed.
Sing a special song about what your child did that day and what will be done tomorrow.
Dig deep and give him your attention and let him look forward to being with you this time.
If you lose your temper, act quickly and keep the routine going.
Janeen Solberg, the mother of two children in Boonsboro, Maryland, said: "I will not negotiate with a healthy child . " He is the art of keeping the center-Time Parenting.
"I said, 'This is what you need to do when you do it.
I'll be back, but I won't stand here and listen to you when you do.
"This is very effective!
"Separate the brothers and sisters.
Julie Douglas's son Taylor, 11, likes to play with Tiffany, 5, as she is washing her hands and brushing her teeth.
Douglas, who lives in Boise, Idaho, said: "He's making faces, making noises and becoming stupid . ".
Her rule: one in the bathroom every time.
If a brother doesn't sleep, send him downstairs or somewhere else.
Focus on tomorrow.
Focus his attention on what is about to happen.
Let him make a "clothes boy" on the floor to arrange the clothes for tomorrow.
Consider temperament.
If he is easily overwhelmed, break down the task into small pieces (
Queue up for stuffed animals, kiss every good night and plug them in).
No matter how many books you read, there is a requirement.
"When Taylor was a kid, his thing was 'one more story, '" Douglas said '. ".
"He loves the whole fantasy and I started using different sounds.
She said: "her son's love for books is fantastic, but it's also because he doesn't want to sleep.
"The easiest solution is so obvious that you may not have thought of it: Set a sleep time and stick to it.
If the sleeping time is 8: 00 and by then you have read a book, not three, then it is still the sleeping time.
"I want to read more, so let's remember to start early tomorrow.
"It's not your fault ---
While sleeping
If you are more satisfied with the looser approach, take the opposite approach: "We read three books every night.
We read for 15 minutes every night.
"By having your child choose which book to read and the order in which you read them, give her a sense of control.
Read at other times.
If your child reads a lot during the day and quiet reading doesn't play the magic of sleep time, skip the book before going to bed.
Keep low excitement.
If books stimulate her rather than let her sleep, then choose books that are less stimulating to sleep and read in a plain voice. Save action-
Stories in the morning or afternoon.
Although the lights are dim, the bedtime party is not over yet. "Stay with me!
"Is the cry heard all over the country.
In order to keep the routine running, you have to decide whether to stay or go.
"Parents often feel 'stagfling'," says pantelly '. ".
"They don't want to stay, but they do it to prevent tears or tantrums.
"If you stay, she suggests that you find a way to lie in bed and not feel fidgety, just like the mental planning of the next day.
Headphones and audiobooks may be helpful if you can sit in a nearby chair, although some children may object to this meaning lack of attention.
Help her learn how to sleep independently if you don't want to stay.
Temperament and age are different.
For sensitive 3-year-
Old, "Take your time," said Stanley Greenspan. D.
Author of challenging children
"Starting from half
"Hug for an hour, then twenty minutes, then fifteen minutes, and so on," he said . ".
Another way is to leave her in bed so you don't hug her: move to the chair by the bed and move to the chair opposite the room so you can read, sit in a chair with better light in the lobby, then go up and down until the evening. Offer rewards. Motivate a 3-year-
Always follow simple sleep rules and promise that she will be treated in the morning if she does. Make a sleep-
There is a regular poster with the name of the child.
This is how it reads: 1. Stay in bed. 2. Close eyes. 3. Stay quiet4. Try to sleep. 5.
You can leave the room when you hear the music. Be boring. Handle last-
Minutes to go to the bathroom or travel back and forth-
Scratching with flat, unexcited, materialof-
Lack of a factual tone of comfort or adventure. Make eating rules.
Jennifer Farrington's son Charlie, 4, was hungry when he first arrived to sleep.
"We have to make rules about what is acceptable bedtime snacks," said Farrington, Chicago, Illinois . ".
Small carrots, bananas, or apples--
Not goldfish, biscuits or dried fruit.
"He won't ask if he's not hungry," she said . ".
Keep your promise.
When her 7-year-old daughter Anna went to bed alone, Solberg told her, "I'll come and see you in five minutes. " And she did.
After all, streamlining is one thing, but giving your child the safety and love you need for a peaceful and good sleep is one thing.
Special editor Jane Meredith Adams writes for The Chicago Tribune, San Francisco magazine and health.
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Humor eliminates the power struggle, so playing a little while before bed can make your daily routine faster.