I have figured it out!!!

[Laura_A]

I have always struggled with girls to go to bed. They're not horrible, but they don't just get in bed and stay there til they fall asleep either. Up until about a year ago (my girls are 7 & 9) I had to lay with them every night til they were asleep.

Well, I decided to try something new and it's working brilliantly! I want them to be asleep by 8:30 on school nights, so I put them in bed at 8:00 and tell them they can read for 30 minutes. I give them a kiss, get them all settled and tell them I'll be back to turn out the lights. 9 times out of 10, they're already asleep when I come back. And if they're not, they're so relaxed that when I turn off the light, they're asleep pretty quickly! It's SO nice not to fight with "I'm hungry, I have to pee, Riley won't stop talking, Regan keeps kicking my bed.. yada yada yada"!

Just thought I'd share.

[robinforman]

Ooh, that is nice! We allow Maddie to 'read' (she's three) for a little bit before turning out the light, too... I need a little time to shut down, so it makes sense that they do, too

[iJenny]

We do the same thing with Cameron. About a year ago he started not being able to fall asleep right away. And it would result in him coming out of his room a lot and then he was staying up until past 9 or 9:30. So we started giving him from 8-8:30 to either read or listen to a book on his ipod. Just like your girls, about half the time he's sound asleep when I go back in there. The other half of the time, he falls asleep within 15 mins. I think they just need some time to "wind down", ya know?

Glad you found something that works!

[aggiefamily]

YAY!
This works with my oldest but not the youngest. I finally started playing CDs for him- Jack Johnson, Raffi to keep him quiet. It works most nights. LOL!

I do need to find a safe clip on lamp for the top bunk. The lamp on the dresser is too far away and the overhead light is too bright.

[Laura_A]

I wish it hadn't taken me so long to figure it out. DOH!

[aggiefamily]

I like the book on tape idea!

[Sarah8914]

hmm, i wonder if this would work with my girls... they stay up for an hour or so usually and often come out 5+ times. they're quite a bit younger but maybe it would work...

[Misty Cato]

WTG mom!

[jessica31876]

I might have to start doing that with my son. His excuse is usually I need a drink or I need to go potty. Most of the time he is in bed at 9:00 and we aim to get him to sleep by 10:00. This usually works but only with alot of saying over and over "Go to be Nick" He has to get up at 7:30 in the morning and leaves for school at 8:10.

[Kat Stokes]

My 7 year old went to sleep at 11:00 last night.... His bedtime is 9:00 but we play the I'm hungry/thirsty game usually until around 9:30. Plus, we have always allowed him to watch tv until he falls asleep (yes, i know - bad parents LOL). I'm going to have to figure out a different way to get him to go to sleep. He tried to get grumpy with me this morning but I told him I wasn't hearing it since he decided to stay up so late. I think I'll give the book thing a try. He can watch tv from 8:30 to 9:00 and then after that if he wants to stay up he can read for a little while.

[Linz]

this has been my nap strategy lately with DS... he's 3. i give him a few books and tell him that curious george is very tired (he has a stuffed one in his bed) and wants DS to read him a few stories until he falls asleep. he's usually out like a light within 15 minutes. otherwise, he's up there singing, playing, jumping on his bed.... and basically refuses to nap.

[mummytothree]

We allow our girls to do the same (and will the boys also when they get a bit bigger). We bought them headlight lamps (like the coal miners use to wear) and they can read and or play their DS fro about 30 minutes.....we never hear a peep out of them!!! They also like to picto chat on their DS too so that helps with the nights they just feel like they have to "talk"!!!

[schock77]

It's all about routine and time to wind down helps TONS! Great thinking Laura!

[SeattleSheri]

I'm going to have to try this. Neither of my boys require much sleep and it's a struggle to get them to bed every night. It really takes a toll on my husband and I, who basically get zero time alone. Thanks for the tip!

[Kat Stokes]

Well, it's 9:17 and I just sent Derrick to bed with 2 books.... I'll check on him in 20 minutes to see how he's doing. I told him under no circumstances is he to turn on the tv. I got quite a bit of whining from him but he went....

[nun69]

dude I am totally gonna have to try this with my 2 little ones when I get home...

[Laura_A]

How'd it go Kat?

[Nonna2Dreja]

What a great idea! Wish it would work for my 3 year old Grandson and my almost 2 year old Granddaughter....They used to go to bed fairly easily, then their Mommy's work schedule switched so she has to go to bed at 8pm to get up early for work....Not only do they not stay in bed when she puts them to bed, but they now are waking up during the night and coming to get in bed with us.... Since I get up at 3:40 a.m. every morning I need my sleep and usually end up letting whichever one get in bed with us....