“My Child is Ready for Sleep After…”
Readers share what helps their kids feel cozy and prepared for a night of restful sleep.
ADDitude asked: What puts your child in the mood for sleep?
Holding my son in front of a blank wall to reduce stimulation always worked when he was a baby. Now that he has grown up, I have him do a few yoga poses and chill. -An ADDitude Reader
Classical music and a repetitive video, like an animated ball bouncing across a television or computer screen. -John, Oklahoma
A warm glass of milk and a nice, gentle back massage. -An ADDitude Reader
I dim the lights in my twin daughters’ room, rock them in the rocking chair, read them a story, sing to them a bit, and then put on a special CD. They know that, when the CD starts, it is time for sleep. -Dena, North Carolina
Having a ritual: nighttime medicine, vitamin, and warm milk (it has sleep-inducing qualities), kisses, and tuck-ins. -Julia, Missouri
Since my daughter was a baby, I have played the same bedtime music and used vanilla-lavender scented lotion. It helps her know that it’s time for sleep. -Leslie, Illinois
I have my son take a hot bath or shower before bed, then read to himself. -Jane, New York
Keep kids on a tight schedule, so they know what to expect and when. Don’t give in because you’re worn out and allow your child to take a long nap. I have paid the price for that. -An ADDitude Reader
My daughter, who has ADHD and ODD, takes 5 mg. of melatonin before bed. It calms her down in 45 minutes and helps her sleep soundly through the night. -Traci, Ohio
Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book helps. When that doesn’t work, I try to figure out what is keeping him up — an obsession. Other times, I offer him a warm hug and a teddy. -Sue, New York
I’ve tried it all. The best sleep-inducing technique is a regular routine. -Erin, Pennsylvania
We do “picture walks.” My daughters lay their heads on my chest while I make up a story and move my fingers over their heads. My girls say that “walking on their heads” enables them to see the pictures more clearly and gives them better dreams. -Stephanie, Ohio
I play a CD of Christmas songs and sit on my son’s bed. I ask him about his day. It gives him the opportunity to get everything out. When he is done, he falls asleep. -Angela, Iowa
We talk about my son’s day. We put all the good things on an imaginary disk and file it away in his memory bank. I ask him to delete the bad things. -Donna, Ohio
