Getting kids in bed at night and ensuring they get enough sleep is hard enough during the wintertime. However, when the time changes and the days get longer, it can become a downright chore to get them snug in their beds and sleeping the night away.
Everyone knows summer brings warmer weather and longer days. The kids don’t want to go to bed when the sun is still out. Luckily, there are a few simple tips and tricks that can help you get your kids to bed during the summer months, even on the longest day of the year.
Wear Them Out
The days are longer, so why not take the kids back outside after dinner and let them run off some of their excess energy? Or better yet, put on one of your plus size babydoll tops, a pair of shorts, and some walking shoes, and take them on a nightly stroll through your neighborhood. Whether you’re strolling through the local park or playing tag or hide-and-seek in the backyard, by bedtime your kids should be worn out and ready for a story and lights out without a fight.
Control Their Sleep Environment
You’re never going to get the kids to bed if they have their electronics, toys, and other distractions in the room with them to keep them awake. A bedroom needs to be dark and have a cool temperature for sleeping. Try to keep the bedroom at the same temperature and darkness all year round. You can do this with air conditioners, fans, and drapes that keep out the light, especially in the summer when it gets dark so late. Creating a calming sleep environment is one of the best ways to ensure that your little ones still get the appropriate amount of sleep they need.
Stick to a Strict Bedtime Routine
Perhaps the best way to get your children to bed on time in the summer months is to stick to a strict bedtime routine all year round. While they may fight it, most children actually prefer a routine and do better when they are on a schedule. A helpful schedule is the following: bath time, put on pajamas, brush teeth, read together, express some gratitude, and say goodnight with a warm hug. Try to keep to this consistent schedule all year long and not move away from it just because the summer has arrived.
Relax Before Bedtime
While it’s helpful to wear your children out before bedtime, it’s important to relax for about 30 minutes before bed as well. Whether that is done by reading a book, playing quietly in their room, or snuggling with you on the couch, winding-down time is key to a good night’s sleep. If your child is still taking a long time falling asleep at night, you might need to extend their time for relaxing by five to 10 minutes.
Make Sure Your Child Feels Safe At Night
Whether it’s summer, spring, winter, or fall, children are not going to sleep well or go to sleep easily if they are frightened. Talk to your children and see what they are worried about at night. It’s also a good idea to avoid scary movies, videos, or games at night. Some children who have nighttime fears do better if they have a nightlight in their room. The one thing you don’t want to do is dismiss your child’s fears as silly. Talking about it will help them feel better so they can sleep more soundly.
These are just a few of the best tips out there to help you get your child to bed during the dog days of summer. The time change has some positives, but children still need the required amount of sleep to be happy, healthy, and able to enjoy the long summer days ahead of them.
What steps do you take to help your kids sleep well during summer nights?
It’s been hard for me to stick to a strict Bed routine with covid. Wearing them out is my #1 rule lol although it doesn’t work all the time. Great article.
Great tips!! Especially with everyone at home right now!
Good tips! It is so important a good sleep for the kids ! 😁
Great tips! Wearing them out is my go-to. There’s nothing like a night of sleep after a day at the pool! We haven’t been going to the pool this summer though (thanks, COVID) – so bike rides are helping. 🙂
Love these tips! When my grandkids stayed with us for a month, the wear them out tip was our go to, but it also wore us out! LOL!!
I couldn’t agree more with the wearing them off tip. We keep my son engaged in activities that are appropriately challenging daily to do just that.
Great tips here. Unless we are away I try to stick to bedtimes. Which my children think is incredibly mean but otherwise it just causes overtiredness which leads to grumpy kids and parents!
I feel like even I need these tips in the summertime! Haha! But it’s so hard to stop and go to bed on time when it’s light out until after 10 PM! Love these ideas for little ones. Thanks for sharing!
Relaxing before bedtime definitely work with my five year old :-)! Great post😍
We have always had good routines for our older girls which have always worked well. We are having to try different things with our youngest though. These are some great tips, thank you for sharing.
The longer days kill me! They literally stare at the windows and I know they’re little minds are thinking, “mom, the sun is still up.”
I try to tire them out and I still can’t get them to close their eyes until the sun starts going down. Blackout window treatments are my next option.
wow! such great tips for getting kids to bed.
these tips are going to be so helpful for moms
thank you so much for sharing!
Summer heat isn’t as much of a problem in Scotland, but the longs days and bright evenings are a killer. We try to stick to a strict bedtime routine, and there are no screens allowed after dinner time, to get their minds to calm down.
Thanks! We love Immupro! AMAZING!