What to Do for Kids That Are Out of Control and Silly at Bedtime

When your child's bedtime approaches and all you want is to have a calm and peaceful transition to sleep, you may be in for a challenge. Kids may get hyperactive and exhibit silly or out-of-control behavior. If you approach the situation firmly, you will increase the chances of having a positive bedtime.

  1. Forewarnings

    • If children don̵7;t receive adequate warning that bedtime is approaching, you may encounter behavioral challenges when it's time for them to go to sleep. Give your child gentle reminders that bedtime is coming ̶0;soon̶1; or ̶0;is next̶1; as bedtime gets closer, suggests the University of Pittsburgh in a ̶0;Bedtime Struggles̶1; publication. Without a reminder that it̵7;s getting close to bedtime, your child may feel surprised and unprepared, which could lead to out-of-control silliness.

    Quiet Time

    • Quietly wind the evening down to ensure that your child is calm and relaxed. Hushed voices and soothing activities will help your child move more easily into a bedtime routine. Keep the television off during the 90 minutes before the bedtime routine starts, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics. Kids often resist sleep after watching television. Instead, engage in quiet activities such as reading books or putting puzzles together to help your child feel more ready for bedtime.

    Standard Routine

    • Make your child's bedtime routine regular, suggests the Mayo Clinic website. Once you make up a routine that works, repeat it nightly. Aim to keep the time of "lights out" the same every night. Your children are likely to respond cooperatively simply because you have given them a predictable and soothing routine.

    Firm Expectations

    • When your child exhibits silliness or out-of-control behavior, respond firmly to get the bedtime routine back on track and get your child to bed. Don̵7;t allow your child̵7;s behavior to become out of control, says former extension specialist Valya Telep, with the Virginia State University Cooperative Extension. Implement discipline that cuts through the silliness. It̵7;s reasonable to smile and laugh with your child when he̵7;s feeling silly, but don̵7;t let the situation become uncontrolled. Tell your child that it̵7;s time for sleep now and that you̵7;ll see him in the morning after he wakes up. Give final kisses and hugs before you leave the room for the night. Insist that your child go to sleep in a manner that is consistent with the bedtime routine.

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