they are 8 and 9 and have had the same bedtime routine since they first started school at ages 3&4, some playtime when they get home then homework, supper, bath, a story then bed, they do ok about going to bed and staying there but it still takes them 2 hours or more to fall asleep, is there anything I can give them? Nothing over the counter but like some kind of relaxing herbal tea or something.
2007-09-05 17:42:00 · 7 answers · asked by pumpkin2 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
their bedtime is 9:00 pm but they usually are not asleep until 11:30-12:00 and have to get up at 7:00 for school.
2007-09-05 17:57:40 · update #1
Warm milk always works for me and my nephews. Perhaps try aromatherapy- I've heard that lavender bath bubbles work, the lavender is very calming and soothing.
2007-09-05 17:51:14 · answer #1 · answered by karenmsarna 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A child at the age of 8 and 9 need about 9.5-11.5 hours of sleep a night. If youre girls are not falling asleep until 11 or 12 then they are only getting7 or 8 hours of sleep. They're not getting enough sleep. If you put them to bed at say 7 and allow them to read in bed for awhile (no talking or fooling around) then they may be able to fall asleep at a reasonable time. They are lacking in sleep and this could be the reason why they are having a hard time falling asleep. It sounds weird, but, a lack of sleep doesn't necessarily make you more tired, it actually does the opposite. If they are over tired then this will effect their ability to fall asleep. I know kids want to feel more gorwnup and stay up late, but sleep is really important. 7PM is a very reasonable hour for them to need to stay in their beds reasing quietly. Your girls are still young. When they are old enough staying up later will be ok because their bodies clock will eventually decrease...so they won't need as much sleep. It also gives you and your husband more alone time! Make sure your girls understand that sleep is important for EVERYthing. It effects how their bodies heal, how they look, how they will perform in school and sports....getting an early start for their bedtime routine will help them.
2007-09-06 11:51:02 · answer #2 · answered by armywife 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not give them a later bedtime? Bedtime is something that most parents use as a means of making their children feel powerless and showing them who is the boss, just because. That is just wrong. Anything before 9:00 PM is just too early. Maybe instead of medicating children because they don't fall asleep when you want them to, you should adapt things to fit their individual needs.
Update: Okay, I spoke too soon above. I just have a lot of bad memories.
2007-09-06 00:51:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
sometimes letting them read a book in bed helps, but if not, what I have had to do with my two girls is stay within sight of the room and keep reminding them to stay in bed, no talking, etc. It seems like a big pain in the butt, but they usually fall asleep within half an hour.
2007-09-06 12:39:03 · answer #4 · answered by Shell B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
toss out the tv and any stimulating foods. they need relaxing time. stick a night light in their rooms and keep the bedtime consistent. they'll fall asleep.
2007-09-06 00:55:12 · answer #5 · answered by KitKat 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Give them bath before supper and supper should be atleast one hour before sleeping time. Before their going to sleep, give them a cup of warm milk.
2007-09-06 00:52:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
try playing soft music or rubbing there backs for a while. try warm milk like swiss miss hot chocolate something about warmth in the tummy makes little ones sleepy.
2007-09-06 00:53:23 · answer #7 · answered by truecountrygirl2006 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋