+++ Bedtime Movies For A 5 Year Old Boy +++?

Question

Is there any bedtime movies for a 5 year old boy?
I want to cut out normal daytime movie's before bed!
He has ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder so bedtime is always a nightmare for us!
I want something that is calming and that will help him relax.

Answer 1

You know what? Don't bother. Seriously. I'm an older brother of a soon-to-be 5 year-old sister and a 3 year-old brother. My mom thinks she's doing the responsible thing most nights by letting them watch movies until they sleep. What happens is that they learn to expect "movie time" every night and they try to stay up until it ends. Then, they demand to watch it again and again until a parental-control war starts.

'Cause let's face it, 5 year-olds can be real bastards at times. For bedtime, ADHD really doesn't make a difference. All it does is that it can make you go a long time without sleep (into the twilight hours). It's not like you're "distracted" from sleep. I should know. I have ADHD. As for SPD, I've never really heard of it, nor can I speak on behalf of it.

All I can do is suggest that the room be calming, serene, and very dim. Bright lights'll keep any child up. Loud noises'll do the same. Just read to him with dim lights or tell him a story. But you have to assert yourself as the parent figure. He has to realize that bedtime is NOT going to revolve around him and his world any more. If he throws a tantrum, unscrew the lightbulbs and leave the room, so he won't have a source of light. He'll cry himself to sleep and he'll be sorry next time.

The point is, don't pussyfoot with him any more. You're the mom, here. He has to listen to you, whether he wants to or not. It's okay to discipline, just don't insult or beat. Likewise, it's okay to help him relax through one or two methods, but if you find yourself having to spend $1,000 on that new aromatherapy system from Brookstone, fuhgettaboutit.

Since he has quite a few mental disabilities and needs, it's ABSOLUTELY important that you don't baby him. Don't hum him to sleep. Don't lull him or sing songs to him on his every whim. He'll have you eating out of his palm by the time you say "The End" if you DO. Make sure he has his own bed to sleep in, otherwise you'd find yourself back here in 4 years, complaining of a 9 year-old who still sleeps with his mother in his parents' bed.

Point in fact: TV is definitely NOT a good method of going to sleep. TV works in a weird way (I saw this on the History Channel). It energizes the brain and feeds you information, yet it tires out the body. In order to go to sleep, you have to tire BOTH out. But tiring the mind might not be so easy. It's important NOT to relax before going to bed. If you DO relax, make sure it's uninterrupted and that you'll fall asleep. Otherwise, you'll end up inducing a meditative state and you'll end up energizing your mind.

The best way to make them fall asleep: make him lie down in his own bed and make him put the blanket over himself. Turn off ALL of the lights (make sure it's pitch-black) and go and lie down in your own bed (my parents sleep on a california king that's in the same room as my siblings' beds, which are both cribs converted into day-beds.). Don't make a peep until he starts to make noises. Quiet him down and make sure he doesn't make noises. He should begin to "play" with his fingers and basically entertain himself. After about 20 minutes, he should be lulling to sleep, and voila! This is GUARANTEED to work, since my mom does it every night and it works great! And now, the kids are sleeping much earlier-- at 8:30 PM! Hell, they used to go to sleep at 1:00 or 2:00 AM. This is a huge improvement, if you ask me.

Try it. It won't hurt.

Answer 2

Television has been shown to stimulate the brain and is not recommended, quite the contrary in fact, before bedtime. Especially in a child with ADHD - adding another source of stimulation is not advisable. Have you tried reading a story to him? Maybe play some music in the background.

Answer 3

I am not in any way saying this judge - i am a mother of difficult boys so i understand your stress believe me - but are you sure he has ADHD? he is only 5 and i say this because my son was catergorized like this by his preschool etc. we refused to medicate but instead changed his diet, chalked alot of his behavior as normal (the schools tend to be much more intolerant these days). i say this because or son wouldnt sleep for a while either and we were so frustrated that we tried meds and it made it so much worse, . turned out it was anxiety over school and being overscrutinzed by everyone. Really try to relax and be there for him - as exhausting as it is. Sleep with him, hold his hand, rub his back, let him sleep with a dim light, and i also recommend a Relaxation CD to play at bedtime - they really work! He is so young and is dealing with alot right now - it is stressful and kids handle things the only way they know how - they often act out. Once we became our son's advocate, believed in him and really listened to what he was trying to tell us, we realized the poor kid was just plain scared. I know i wrote alot and you can't compare our kids because they are different people, but if you could see the difference in my son in just 2 years (you described him in your post) - he is almost 7 - you'll see a light at the end of your tunnel!!!!

Answer 4

movies are not a good way to unwind, especially given adhd and spd. movies are not relaxing.

what's relaxing are books. after a daily routine with lots of physical activity.

read him books at nighttime. if you're doing movies or any other tv close to bedtime, of course it's a nightmare. you should never have your kids watch any tv within hours of bedtime.

also, lower the lights, give no sugar, play soothing music...

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My thirteen year old just recommended the movie : Koyaanisqatsi. That movie will put anyone to sleep. And it's visually beautiful with peaceful music.

Answer 5

Actually without knowing anything about his disorders, I guess a bedtime story is out of the question?
How bout listening tapes with stories on them?
In any case..Winnie the pooh is always calming enough and entertaining. Its a character that he doesnt have to interact with( such as Barney or Dora) and isnt loud and distractive.

Answer 6

Why a movie? What I do for my sister is put on soft bedtime story that follow-along with a book (This works like a CHARM!) You could try Down Gillied (Gill-e-ed) Lane, Adventures in Odyssey stuff like that.
Hope this Helps
~Ms.iCe

Answer 7

I let my soon to be 5 year old watch movies before bed, and that guy is right, she fights to watch them all night long, and it lasts until sometimes 6am. try playing with him for about 30 minutes, like wrestle, color, do puzzles (which will make his mind work harder) and anything that he loves doing, then give him a warm bath, put some warm cozy pj's on him, put him in bed with a night light that has a music show..even try the infant ones for the cribs, that works on my big girl....she has been getting her little sister to do the same

Answer 8

My Neighbor Totoro and anything by Hayao Miyazaki...beautiful animation, great wholesome stories and very stimulating for kids :)

Answer 9

i would think something that does not have alot of action in it..like....
little bear or franklin the turtle..they arent movies but they are series a series...its very calm and collective...