How to help kids who have trouble sleeping.

 Hey readers,

Often parents will have to deal with their child's bedtime anxiety for whatever reason it could be simply something new happening, fear of the dark, or worries about monsters under the bed. 

These are all valid examples of why your child might fear going to sleep at night. So, below I have some top ideas that have helped in my experience that may work for you and your child to help settle your child at nighttime. 

1. Read a book.

A way to help relax a child at bedtime is by reading a book. Now you can get a variety of books (though do check out your local library save some pennies if you can) that focus on a child scared of the dark.

 Sometimes it can help a child know that they are not the only ones who struggle at night. Also, it gives your child reassurance to know that things will be fine. 

2. Audiobooks.

My eldest loves listening to audiobooks at night as it helps relax him as he focuses on a soft voice and story. It distracts him from the anxiety and hearing a friendly voice makes him feel less alone at night time. 

3. Calming sound apps. 

Another idea is to have white noise, or certain sounds to help relax your child at nighttime. Both my boys love listening to jungle sounds and it relaxes them so they drift off to sleep. Again the sound is a great companion especially when it is dark at night. 

4. Talking time.

A problem shared is a problem halved so, therefore, making time for your child to voice their anxieties can help them greatly. It can also be a time where you can reassure them and feel that valid with how they feel. This then can help them feel safe as they know that there is protection from the parent. 

5. No screens before bed.

Say no to screens in bed as this can be a big trigger for making children's minds work overtime especially if they are watching something that is intense can overstimulate them.

 It is best to watch something in the living room where they can leave it there. Making the bedroom a place where it is associated with relaxing can really help settle a child. 

6. Lighting. 

If the darkness makes a child feel anxious then maybe investing in a nightlight could be of use. Nightlights can aid relaxation before bed, reduce fear of the dark, and provide lighting at night for better visibility. 

Having a night light can be helpful as well if your child is scared of monsters under the bed as it can provide comfort and knowing that they are safe will help ease your child off to sleep. 

7. A worry jar.

Introducing a worry jar to the child is an effective tool to help with bedtime anxiety. What you do is to get the child to write down on the piece of paper their worry and put it into the jar. 

Giving the child an outlet to write down a worry feels relief that it is out of their mind and put away in the jar so they can then feel more relaxed to go to sleep at night. 

Of course, when it is morning it would be a good time to explore the issue and maybe think of solutions to the problem, or if not then discussing it might help them feel better. 

What do you think of my ideas to help with a child's bedtime anxiety? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X