If there's anything all parents know all too well, it is that when babies and toddlers don't get enough sleep it can affect their health, and they become extremely irritable and cranky.
Watching a sleeping toddler soon after you've put them to bed with a bedtime story and a kiss is enough to make even the coldest-hearted person turn into a heart-melted softie; it's simply one of the most beautiful sights to see!
However, it's not always easy to get your toddlers to sleep at a decent time so they can wake up well-rested in the morning. Toddlers are usually super-energized, and if you don't establish some type of sleep ritual or routine, you won't get the full benefits of being able to get the consistent sleep and rest your family deserves and needs.
Also, it can be difficult to squeeze in any time at all for yourself at night because of the immense responsibility of caring for your child, but if you fail to make a plan, you'll end up frustrated, night after night.
As a parent, you can set the tone for how you want every evening to play out for your toddler. You merely have to set a time frame and meet the goals. Once you establish a solid routine, it becomes effortless.
For example, if you're a working parent with a 9-5 schedule, a realistic goal would be to get your toddler to sleep by 8:30PM.
Let's say you pick up your toddler from the daycare at 5:45PM and arrive home at 6:00PM. A parent's work is never done! You've just worked your tail off for 8 hours and now you've got to squeeze in another 2 1/2 hours of work before you have any time for yourself!
Once you walk through the door, start the "winding down" process. Your toddler has been playing all day at the daycare, so he or she is primed and ready for some quiet time and to take a break. So give it to them, and keep your eye on that 8:30PM goal.
Dim the lights and prepare dinner. Leave the TV off and speak in a fairly quiet, peaceful tone to your toddler. If you have to watch the news at 6, that's fine, but turn off the TV at 6:30PM!
Next, bathe your toddler using a hypoallergenic, lavender soap, or any other soap containing calming-type properties. Continue talking quietly to your toddler during this soothing bath and remember; you have plenty of time on your days off to be a little louder and more playful with your child. At 6:45-7:00PM, your toddler or toddlers should be bathed and dressed in their pajamas ready for dinner.
Next, feed your toddler and include yourself or your family if you'd like to at the dinner table, and this should lead you to about 7:30PM.
Now it's probably time to wash the dishes or rinse them and put them in the dishwasher, as well as tying up any other loose ends around the house. These chores will lead you to somewhere around 8:00PM.
At 8:00PM, tuck in your toddler and perhaps read him or her a bedtime story. Voila! You're done for the night! You've got one precious, sleeping toddler, don't you?
The best part about it is; now you can go and take care of you, and enjoy your own time.
If you take the time and put forth the energy required to get your toddler quality sleep consistently, the whole family benefits!
Watching a sleeping toddler soon after you've put them to bed with a bedtime story and a kiss is enough to make even the coldest-hearted person turn into a heart-melted softie; it's simply one of the most beautiful sights to see!
However, it's not always easy to get your toddlers to sleep at a decent time so they can wake up well-rested in the morning. Toddlers are usually super-energized, and if you don't establish some type of sleep ritual or routine, you won't get the full benefits of being able to get the consistent sleep and rest your family deserves and needs.
Also, it can be difficult to squeeze in any time at all for yourself at night because of the immense responsibility of caring for your child, but if you fail to make a plan, you'll end up frustrated, night after night.
As a parent, you can set the tone for how you want every evening to play out for your toddler. You merely have to set a time frame and meet the goals. Once you establish a solid routine, it becomes effortless.
For example, if you're a working parent with a 9-5 schedule, a realistic goal would be to get your toddler to sleep by 8:30PM.
Let's say you pick up your toddler from the daycare at 5:45PM and arrive home at 6:00PM. A parent's work is never done! You've just worked your tail off for 8 hours and now you've got to squeeze in another 2 1/2 hours of work before you have any time for yourself!
Once you walk through the door, start the "winding down" process. Your toddler has been playing all day at the daycare, so he or she is primed and ready for some quiet time and to take a break. So give it to them, and keep your eye on that 8:30PM goal.
Dim the lights and prepare dinner. Leave the TV off and speak in a fairly quiet, peaceful tone to your toddler. If you have to watch the news at 6, that's fine, but turn off the TV at 6:30PM!
Next, bathe your toddler using a hypoallergenic, lavender soap, or any other soap containing calming-type properties. Continue talking quietly to your toddler during this soothing bath and remember; you have plenty of time on your days off to be a little louder and more playful with your child. At 6:45-7:00PM, your toddler or toddlers should be bathed and dressed in their pajamas ready for dinner.
Next, feed your toddler and include yourself or your family if you'd like to at the dinner table, and this should lead you to about 7:30PM.
Now it's probably time to wash the dishes or rinse them and put them in the dishwasher, as well as tying up any other loose ends around the house. These chores will lead you to somewhere around 8:00PM.
At 8:00PM, tuck in your toddler and perhaps read him or her a bedtime story. Voila! You're done for the night! You've got one precious, sleeping toddler, don't you?
The best part about it is; now you can go and take care of you, and enjoy your own time.
If you take the time and put forth the energy required to get your toddler quality sleep consistently, the whole family benefits!