Few things can exasperate a parent more quickly than a child who simply won't go to bed on time. It takes time and practice to establish a solid night-time routine of getting ready for the next day, getting ready for bed and having some time to settle into bed. A few good books can help both you and your children.
"Time for Bed"
Reading a book about going to bed on time can help children understand that it's time for bed. Mem Fox's beautifully illustrated book "Time for Bed" is a lovely, soothing book that demonstrates offspring of all types being put to bed. The lyrical writing, in simple rhyme, shows a series of mothers putting their progeny to bed. Each illustration begins with "It's time for bed...", gently showing a child that night has fallen and sleeping time has come.
"The Napping House"
Audrey and Don Wood's "The Napping House" helps children understand, in an amusing way, that nap time has come. If getting your child to bed for naps is becoming a chore, have them look this book over. Or, if your baby is having trouble settling in for nap, begin the habit of reading at nap time with this book. The funny illustrations of a houseful of nappers, who eventually all pile onto one another is a humorous slant on the importance of getting sleep.
"The Parent Survival Guide"
If you simply don't know where to start, this guide, written by child psychologist Dr. Todd Cartmell, will be very helpful. Designed with busy parents in mind, "The Parent Survival Guide" starts chapter one with a case study of one of the most common problems in many households--getting kids to bed on time. It then breaks the problem into manageable chunks so that busy parents can focus on one piece at a time. It's written for parents of children between 3 and 12 years old.
