When it's bedtime and kids are put in their beds, the kids can sometimes get out of bed again and again. They may be overly tired and resisting sleep, or they may be resisting authority. Sometimes children, like many people, wake up in the middle of the night but don't have strategies for going back to sleep, and will therefore get out of bed. Whatever the reason, keeping kids in bed can help to establish bedtime routines and give parents and caregivers a respite from the challenges of parenting.
Step 1
Make the bedroom sleep-friendly. Video games, radios and MP3 players should be removed so there are fewer distractions. The room should be dark. A security toy or blanket can be provided, but additional items add to the risk of distractions.
Step 2
Use a bedtime routine. This can vary by individual tastes, but if the routine is followed daily, there is a greater chance of keeping the kids in bed. For example, pajamas can be laid out, teeth brushed and the bathroom visited. The important thing is to follow the routine and make exceptions rare.
Step 3
Put the kids in bed at bedtime. This may sound obvious, but kids are always trying to come up with excuses for why they need to stay up for additional time.
Step 4
Ignore calls to return to the bedroom. The kids might beg, plead and cry, but these should not be responded to.
Step 5
Make sure that if the kids get out of bed to quickly return them to bed. Be persistent and follow the same routine with returning the kids to bed. Lift them up under the shoulders and carry them facing forward to bed. Tuck them in without giving affection. If affection is showed, it is seen by kids as a reward for getting out of bed.
Step 6
Be patient. These techniques may not work on the first night or the second night, but by making the routine consistent, the kids will eventually stay in bed.
Tips and Warnings
- Uses a reward such as a gold star or a special breakfast treat for staying in bed.
- Ignoring the cries of a child can be difficult and emotionally troubling.
