Help! My kids don't want to go to bed.

Parents often struggle to get kids to bed on time. Kids are full of energy, and encouraging them to get in bed and stay there can be challenging.

No matter how old your children are, encouraging them to go to bed at a reasonable time is important. School-age children need 9-11 hours of high-quality sleep each night, while younger children need even more. Failure to get adequate sleep can affect their development, as well as their physical and mental health.

There are many reasons why your children might not want to get into bed each night and discovering the root cause can help you overcome the problem. Here are common reasons your children might resist bedtime and some strategies to help you resolve the issue.

Why do children resist bedtime?

Here are four common reasons why your child might be fighting against bedtime each night.

• They don’t want to miss out. Your children might think they will miss out on something if they go to bed, particularly if they can hear you.
• They’re afraid of the dark. Your children might be frightened of the dark and, as a result, they don’t want to turn the lights off and go to sleep.
• They are not tired, or they are over tired.
• They do not want to be separated from you.

Strategies to help you get your children to bed on time

Here are some simple strategies to help get your kids into bed at a decent time each night. Establishing a predictable and soothing routine will help your child transition from their busy day to being ready to sleep.

• Avoid activities or food choices that will overstimulate your child
• Sit with them until they get comfortable in bed.
• Read a bedtime story to help them relax.
• Play relaxing music in their room until they fall asleep.
• Be quiet so your children can’t hear you as they fall asleep.
• Just like for adults, a room that is cool, dark and quiet is best for sleeping