Simple tips to help your kids stay in bed at night

Bedtime is a time of day that weary parents look forward to as a time to relax and enjoy non-animated movies. When kids pop out of bed every five minutes, the relaxing calm of night is quickly ruined, so use these simple tips to help your kids stay in bed at night.

• Sometimes kids get out of bed because they are lonely.
• Giving children a special, soft lovey can help them feel less lonely at night and more likely to stay in bed.
• Try giving the toy to the child only at night as an incentive to stay in bed.
• A toy that makes soothing, restful sounds may also encourage children to stay in bed longer.

• Night terrors can cause a child to get out of bed at all hours of the night. Children may feel more reassured by the presence of a small night-light.
• The light should be dim enough to still allow restful sleep but not so dim that the child is unable to see. A night-light is often reassuring to children who are afraid of darkness or monsters.

• One problem that may keep children out of bed is the lack of a routine. A consistent routine will signal to children that it is time to wind down and rest.
• Try creating a simple routine at the same time each night, such as taking a warm bath, reading a story and cuddling in bed for a few minutes before lights out.

• This tactic may not work for small toddlers, but children older than three should respond well to this practice.
• Create a small square grid on a piece of paper with your children. Tell them that for every night they do not get out of bed, they will get a sticker.
• When the grid is full, allow the child to pick a small prize. If your children get out of bed a lot, you may want to give a sticker for shorter periods, such as 30 minutes without getting up.

Teaching children to stay in bed can be a challenge, but with a few tricks, the process becomes much easier. Within a few weeks, you should be able to enjoy kid-free evenings once more.