Bedtime Battles: How to Ease the Evening Routine and Make Bedtime a Breeze
Bedtime. It’s the time of day that can either be a peaceful, calming ritual or a full-blown battle of wills. As parents, we know the struggle: negotiating with a tiny human who has a million reasons to delay going to sleep. But what if solving bedtime battles didn’t have to be so hard? With some thoughtful pre-bedtime activities, a consistent routine, and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can transform your evening struggles into a peaceful, enjoyable wind-down. Here’s a guide to how to deal with bedtime battles and create a smoother, more enjoyable bedtime routine for both you and your child.
Explore our range of toy storage solutions to keep pre-bedtime play organised and engaging.
Pre-Bedtime Activities: Set the Tone for a Calm Night
The hour before bed is crucial. It's a time to wind down, relax, and engage in calm, stimulating activities that prepare your child for sleep. Avoiding overstimulation from screens is key during this time.
One great way to transition to bedtime is through calming activities like playing with Play-Doh, building jigsaw puzzles, or engaging in some brick-building fun. The sensory stimulation of Play-Doh can help reduce anxiety and stress, while activities like jigsaws and building blocks promote problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and shape recognition. These quiet activities can help focus the mind in a calming way, signalling that it’s time to slow down and stop bedtime battles before they even begin.
Have you heard of "Golden Hour" or "Special Time"? This simple concept involves dedicating at least 20 minutes a day to focus entirely on your child. The activity is child-driven, meaning they choose what they want to do—whether it’s role-playing, acting out scenes from their day, or doing a craft or some light cooking. This one-on-one time is a great way to bond with your child and help them emotionally regulate, which can reduce bedtime battles before they start.
But we know that life can get hectic, and sometimes that one-on-one time just isn’t possible every day. That's where a “pre-bedtime box” comes in handy. A toy box or storage unit like our Book Carts or Porter Crate Storage provides a dedicated space filled with toys and activities that encourage independent play. Plus, rotating toys often helps keep things fresh and exciting.
Tidy Up Time: Structure and Responsibility
A key part of how to stop bedtime battles is structure, and that includes a “Tidy-Up Time.” Not only does it signal the end of playtime, but it also gives children a sense of responsibility. It’s a small but meaningful task that encourages them to clean up and prepare for the next stage of the evening.
Incorporating calming music and dimming the lights can help transition into the more tranquil aspects of the evening. You can make tidying up fun by using accessible toy storage that encourages your child to participate. Storage solutions like the Blake Unit, with low shelves and rope baskets, make it easy for little hands to pull toys in and out, while a toy box with a safety hinge ensures that tiny fingers stay safe.
Bath Time: A Calming Ritual
Bath time is a perfect way to relax and unwind before bed. The warm water (around 33 degrees Celsius) helps cool down the body temperature and signal that it’s time to wind down. It’s not only relaxing but also offers a great bonding opportunity for you and your child, helping to reduce stress and anxiety, key factors in solving bedtime battles.
After the bath, the next task is teeth brushing, a task that can sometimes turn into a battle. The trick is to give your child some autonomy in the process. Instead of pressuring them to do it a certain way, let them take the lead. Using a step-stool and a low mirror helps them see exactly what they’re doing and emulate what you do. This independence can make the experience more enjoyable and less of a chore.
Help your little one gain independence with our step stools and bathroom accessories, designed for easy access to sinks and mirrors.
Pyjamas and Wind-Down: Transitioning to Calm
One of the trickiest moments of the bedtime routine is getting your child into their pyjamas and settled for sleep. As soon as you mention "bedtime," the zoomies start, and suddenly, it feels like everything is chaos. Here’s where your calm demeanour and a few tricks can work wonders.
Start by dimming the lights and lowering your voice to signal a shift in tone. If your child is struggling to calm down, consider gentle physical techniques such as deep pressure compression massage on their legs and arms. You can even make a game out of it, pretending to wrap them up like a burrito or kneading dough. These movements, paired with a soft hug or rocking from side to side, help calm the nervous system and ease the transition from energetic to sleepy, one of the simplest ways to deal with bedtime battles.
If your child is old enough, you can introduce simple breathing exercises. Counting their breaths can help them regulate their emotions and settle down. You can even place a stuffed toy on their tummy to visually show the rise and fall of their breath, reinforcing the calming effect of deep breathing. These small adjustments can make all the difference when stopping bedtime battles in their tracks.
Story Time: A Time to Bond and Relax
Story time is a cherished part of the bedtime routine, and for good reason. Reading before bed not only fosters language development and literacy skills, but it also helps calm the mind and signal that it’s time to sleep. It’s a beautiful bonding time when your child feels comforted and secure, knowing that you’re there with them, helping to eliminate bedtime battles.
The key to a successful story time experience is having accessible and well-organised book storage. Depending on your child’s age and the space available, you might want to use a Greenaway wall-mounted book display or a floor Sling Bookcase that toddlers can easily reach. As your child grows, you may need something larger like the Crompton or Star Bright Bookcases to hold their ever-expanding collection.
To prevent bedtime from dragging on with requests for “just one more book,” try limiting the number of books available for bedtime. Our Nightingale Display Shelves are perfect for this, allowing you to set aside a small selection for the night. For ultimate convenience, our Croft Bedside Table provides space for books, a nightlight, and even a spot for a water bottle and stuffed animals, so you won’t have to leave the bed to fetch something.
Goodnight: Finding What Works for You
When it’s finally time to say “Goodnight,” it can feel like the toughest part of the routine. It’s essential to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to solving bedtime battles. Whether it’s a cuddle to sleep, a hand to hold, or a gentle "disappearing chair" technique, the key is finding what works best for your family.
Choosing the Right Bed: A Comfortable Space for Rest
Lastly, choosing the right bed can make all the difference in your child’s sleep quality. Some children are ready to sleep independently in a toddler or single bed, while others may need more support, like a pull-out trundle bed for extra comfort. Our Griffin Storage Bed with Trundle is ideal for tight spaces, as it provides both storage and a pull-out trundle bed for extra sleeping space when needed.
If you prefer co-sleeping or need extra room for bonding, a double bed might be a better choice. It offers plenty of space for both you and your child to sleep comfortably, helping everyone get the rest they require.
Create a cosy and calming bedtime space with our beautifully designed bedroom furniture.
Bedtime doesn’t have to be a battle. With a little preparation, some calming activities, and a well-structured routine, you can create a peaceful end to the day. By focusing on consistency, building a bedtime routine that works for your family, and finding ways to engage your child in a calming way, you’ll be setting the stage for a night of restful sleep—for everyone.
If you’re still struggling with how to deal with bedtime battles, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Sleep consultant Heidi from Positively Parenthood offers expert tips on how to address specific sleep challenges and identify any obstacles in your routine. Check out her blog for valuable insights on how to stop bedtime battles.