The little girl I babysit is really sweet and really nice but she never lets me put her to bed. Her parents sometimes get home really late at night and I don't want them to have to put her to bed AND take me home. Whenever I say "time for bed" she gets all whiney and refuses. I don't want her to hate me for it! I am afraid she will get mad at me and then her parents will fire me.
How can I get her to bed without a hassle? Without her hating me? Without her pitching a fit?
2006-09-10 04:10:04 · 14 answers · asked by songbird 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Don't tell her it's time for bed, start with winding things down then make a game of picking out a book to read or coloring. Something quite like that suggest watching a movie, but make sure it won't wind her up. If it's easier to get her to fall asleep on the couch do that, then when she been asleep for about an hour carry her into her room and stay for a while to make sure she doesn't get up.
But remember don't tell her it's time from bed.
2006-09-10 04:18:50 · answer #1 · answered by Gwennan 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You might start with figuring out WHY she's pitching the fit. Every kid is different. For myself, as a kid, I was TERRIFIED of the shadows I would see in my room. If a floorboard so much as creaked, I was up in arms. I was a very rigid, scared little girl. She might have the same problem. In that case, the biggest helper would be a light on in the hall and you just reading her to sleep. Distraction is a lifesaver with getting kids to sleep. My daughter is just 13 months and has slept in our room until this week. I transitioned her in to her own room without so much as a peep, and I'm sure it has everything to do with the routine I've gotten her in to. Talk to the little girl and earnestly listen. She'll let you know what's going on. Don't offer her suggestions to what she may be bothered by, cause kids will run with anything you say! Maybe she feels she's missing out on big stuff, in which case you can compromise and tell her you can play anything she wants until the clock says 9' or whatever time. Read her books, play some music that's calming, and stay close by for the first few nights. She'll quickly take to the idea, trust me.
2006-09-10 04:40:42 · answer #2 · answered by SunburstSapphire_99 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all - make her feel sleepy.Include active games in the evenings.You can go to the park for a walk or make a pillow-battle.Make something so she feels sleepy.She has to be tired.It's not a bad idea if you put an end to midday sleeps(siestas) so she will be more tired in the evenings and she will feel sleepy earlier.And don't let her sleep until 10 o'clock in the morning.She is absolutely able to get up earlier.
There are some simple rules you should take a look at: Don't tell her she is tired.Tell her YOU are tired and need some rest.Let the girl set with you a regime which she will be more willing to follow(kids follow regimes if they have been beside parents/guardians while the rules were being settled).Ask her politely what time she wants to go to bed - at 8.30 or at 9 o'clock and when that time comes,just go to her and tell her "It's 9 o'clock".If se refuses to go to bed,continue with "Remember our stipulation?"(don't forget to smile and be polite).If she answers again with "NO",just stay in front of her,look at the watch on your arm,hug her and again look at the watch with being polite and smiling and no saying a word.Trust me,that really helps.That's the way you ask her for her responsibility without trample on her dignity.Good luck!
2006-09-10 05:23:43 · answer #3 · answered by julie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely get into some kind of bedtime routine with her. Maybe speak with her parents about a routine they like to follow and what time they'd like her bedtime to be, and then work with it. Maybe you give her a bath, fix her a healthy snack for her to eat, then ask her to help put her toys away. Then you can go with her into her room, and ask her to pick out her 2 most favorite books to read. Afterwards, it's a kiss goodnight, and you leave the room. If she fights it, then that's too bad. She's a child, and she needs a bedtime. Ask her parents how they want you to handle it when she gets out of bed repeatedly. With my child, I would take her by the hand, put her back in bed, say goodnight, and leave. Repeat this process, as calmly as possible,until she learns that she's not going to get her way???? This might work, with the parents permission first, of course! Good luck!
p.s. watch supernanny. They have the best advice on all this kind of stuff!
2006-09-10 06:29:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as she has fun w/ you the rest of the night she will not hate you for making her go to bed. You need to be firm. Tell her it's time for bed, put her in bed, read her a story, sing to her if you want. But, tell her good night, shut off the light and don't let her manipulate you. If she gets up, put her back in bed every time.
As a parent I struggle w/ getting my kids to bed too, but they don't hate me, and they certainly will not hate you.
For me, if I had a babysitter that let my kids walk all over her, I don't think I would hire you very much... Especially if I had to deal w/ a cranky toddler all the next day.
2006-09-10 04:21:09 · answer #5 · answered by melonamc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You go to show her whoes boss, which mean you will have to be firm at time, otherswise, she will known she can walk all over you and get her way no matter what. Which is a very bad thing, for a kid to be acting like.
Start out very nicely say, time to get ready for bed and I'll read you a story. If she refuses tell her again and if she still refuses, then you got to show her whoes boss, either by telling her more firmly or by taking her band and walking her towards her bedroom or the bathroom, so she can brush her teeth.
2006-09-10 04:18:11 · answer #6 · answered by Linds 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to ask the parent her bedtime routine. Let them know you need a little advice as all kids are different and you can't possibly be expected to automatically know the trick to get her kid to bed.
Some tips tho for help winding a kid down:
A Bath
Warm Milk
Dim/No lights in the house and lay on the couch and watch a movie/show then when she falls deep asleep carry her to bed.
Bedtime story.
Rocked to sleep.
Singing and swaying with her.
2006-09-10 04:53:42 · answer #7 · answered by tigreria 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let her pick out a couple of books and tell her that after 2 books it is bed time, and stick to it. Once you finish the 2nd book turn out the lights and close the door (Turn on any nightlights). If she throws a fit ignore her. She will fall asleep eventually. I have had to do this with my son as he was doing this for a few weeks, but now he is back to his normal bedtime because he knows he will not be let out of his room.
2006-09-10 04:14:59 · answer #8 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She probably isnt used to you putting her to bed and so she doesnt want to go to sleep without her parents. Try just sitting with her on the couch and reading her a story or watching a movie or tv show. Or you can pretend with her, asking her to put on her pajamas, but that she doesnt have to go to sleep. If she knows you wont force her, she is more likely to fall asleep.
2006-09-10 04:15:04 · answer #9 · answered by Former Atheist 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
first you are the adult she is the child.
if she gets mad she will get over it
and if her parents fire you for making her go to bed why did they give you a bedtime for her?
you are there to take care of the child. Getting her to bed is one responsibility.
ask her parents if they let her stay up late. if they do then don't worry about it's now their problem
2006-09-10 04:18:31 · answer #10 · answered by pets20 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋