How in the heck do you get your kids to go to bed?

Question

I have five kids, 10, 8, 6, 5, and 5 months. I put them to bed. Do the whole nightly routine, drink bathroom story, and they keep coming out. I've tried everything except tying them to their beds. How do I get it through their heads that bedtime doesn't mean wander around the house? They are especially bad about it if they know their dad isn't coming home.

Okay, this is for Colleen O (Sorry if I spelled that wrong).The baby makes his own schedule, the five yr old at 8:15, six yr old at 8:30, Eight yr old at 9:00, and the ten yr old at 9:30. They all have their own rooms except for the 5 and 8 yr old. But I was hoping the 5 yr old would be asleep before the others bedtime.
And my 10 yr old is no help cause he has ADHD and bounces off the walls. Especially since he's not on his meds for the summer. (Doc said he could have a break from them for summer).

Answer 1

Here's a smile for your trouble anyway!

A small boy is sent to bed by his father.
Five minutes later....."Da-ad...."

"What?"
"I'm thirsty. Can you bring drink of water?"
"No, You had your chance. Lights out."
Five minutes later: "Da-aaaad....."

"WHAT?"
"I! 'm THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water??"
I told you NO! If you ask again, I'll have to spank you!!"
Five minutes later......"Daaaa-aaaad....."

WHAT!"
When you come in to spank me, can you bring a drink of water?"

I would suggest starting with the adults in the household to be more attentive to the time. In other words, at 8pm. All activities stop (it helps you out too) You do idle chores (read, watch TV, snuggle with the 5month old)
Then send the 5, 6 & 8 year old to bed. The 10 year old stays up and does idle work too to calm down. Then send the 10 year old to bed and bed the baby at the same time. Keep the house quiet and calm until 1/2 hour after the last is to bed. Resume unfinished business thereafter

Answer 2

Do they not do it so much because Dad is the enforcer? Or could it be because they do not get enough time with you and your husband during the day and they are seeking attention?...Some things to think about.
Regardless, stand your ground and be consistent. Children five and up should have consequences for disobedience. Have you tried that yet? Perhaps you could try taking away a privilege that they have during the day - t.v. show, etc. Try toning down the home environment too at bedtime. Turn off the t.v, lower the lights, and make the house less exciting. Perhaps they won't feel like they are missing anything. Good luck.

Answer 3

Being consistent and firm is key. The next step is consequences for getting out of bed (and it's much harder on you to enforce those, but it's worth it in the long run). For the older ones, priviledges are taken away, for the younger ones, it may require some creative parenting...like what I had to do which was strip my son's room of anything but his pillow and blanket and lock him in there (with me sitting outside of his room near tears every night). After a week, he went to bed willingly and no more fight. That was when he was 2 and now I can't get him out of bed! (He's 14) Kids! Good Luck!

Answer 4

Hi,
I am on the same boat as you. my kids act and get out from thier bed after giving them diner and bath but they keep making excuses until I am upset.
so I turned them back to sleep and promesse them something in the morning. or tell them that they won't grow if they don't sleep.
In my opinion you should be serious by taking action like no swiming pool or no video game the next day if they don't listen and give you hard time because you're tired and need to rest.
good luck.

Answer 5

Wow, you have a handful, I know how hard it is to get my 6 year old to bed. We get the pajamas on, brush our teeth and head to bed. I read a story to him and say prayers. But with 5 kids, I can see it would be very difficult. Might have to try losing some privileges if they don't stay in bed.

Answer 6

Wow. Thats a handful. Put he oldest in charge. Let him/her that if any of the others keep on getting out of bed they'll responsible for his/her not being able to watch good old tv. Instead, there'll be chores to do. Dusting, vaccuuming, drying dishes, folding laundry. If it happens still, sed them all out in the community (under your husband's supervision, of course) for garbage pick up on the side walks.

Answer 7

I know what you mean. It's a job in itself to get kids put down for the night. I have to tell this lil story cause I was in total shock today!

I'm watching my 3yr old nephew overnight . Around 7pm he comes to me and says auntie, I'm tired. I wanna take a bath and go to bed!! Can you believe that!! I couldn't.

Answer 8

You gotta put your foot down, grab them and tell them enough is enough raise your voice ya know let them know who's boss. If you gotta sit down in their room and talk to them ya know because at a young age like that you gotta talk to your kids and teach them because they're learning so much everything they see and hear is what they're going to do, but whatever you do don't let them see you break down or cry because then they know they can do what ever they want....

Answer 9

They do it because they can get away with it.

First, you have to get through to the oldest one. Get through to the 10yo, and the rest will follow easier. And I don't advocate beating them, but you must punish them if they disobey. Take away something that they value (a toy, a privledge, etc.).

Answer 10

well my cousin has foster kids sometimes 7 kids at a time and she turns on a mellow cartoon tell them stay on there bed and there in sleepyland in 30 mins