No “go to bed”: simple rituals for the night that make children happy

The evening ritual can become a real challenge for many families: children refuse to sleep, delay the process of falling asleep, and parents, trying to stick to the schedule, feel stressed. However, research shows that this approach often causes conflicts. Experts advise to review your tactics and make the evening time more calm and predictable.

In a study involving about 200 children, it was found that the happiest children grow up in families where parents do not put pressure on children before bedtime and create an emotional connection. Instead of strict control, the child should be provided with a sense of security and peace. If the process of falling asleep takes longer, but passes without stress, this is already considered a successful result.

Experts point to the importance of contact with the child. Before going to bed, it is useful to spend at least 10-20 minutes in communication: read a book, hug or just be together. This helps to reduce the anxiety that often comes from the fear of being separated from parents at night.

The next recommendation is not to make the process of falling asleep a mandatory mission. If the child feels pressure and expectations, his body can go into a state of tension, which makes it difficult to fall asleep. It is best to focus on creating a cozy atmosphere: dimmed lights, quiet games and no gadgets.

The so-called “bridge to tomorrow” is quite useful. It is important for the child to realize that sleep is not a farewell, but a short pause. A conversation about plans for the next day or a simple question “What’s in store for you tomorrow?” will help to form a sense of stability.

Another important aspect is providing the child with a sense of security. Simple phrases like “I’m here” or “You can rest easy” signal to the nervous system that you can relax, which greatly contributes to easier falling asleep.

In addition, it is important to remember that the emotional state of the parents plays a key role. Tiredness and stress at the end of the day can be transmitted to children, so adults should first find inner peace: pause, take a deep breath, and only then interact with the baby.