Parenting: Winning the bedtime battle

For parents and carers who dread the daily bedtime battle, you’re not alone!

It’s a common struggle to manage the nightly cries of “just one more story”, “I’m not tired!”, or “I’m thirsty”. But with the right strategies, bedtime can be smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.

As a start, knowing the age-by-age sleep guidelines can help you experiment with a bedtime that gives them enough energy to grow, learn, and play. Every child is different, and finding the right bedtime takes a bit of trial and error. As a guide:

- Toddlers generally need 11-14 hours of sleep (including naps)
- Preschoolers generally need 10 to 13 hours of sleep (including naps)
- Primary school-aged children generally need 9 to 11 hours of sleep

- High school-aged children general need 8 to 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Common bedtime problems can include endless stalling tactics, outright refusals, or late-night visits to your bed. This may be the result of a range of factors including being overstimulated, changing routines, or a temporary issue, like illness or stress. If not addressed early, a new pattern can form, and bedtime challenges can persist.

When a child won’t go to bed without arguing, or if they won’t stay in their bed, they end up overtired. This may affect their overall health, behaviour, and learning ability.

The good news is, that children thrive when given boundaries and are more likely to go to bed without a fuss when they have a consistent, predictable bedtime routine. This could be a bath, story, and cuddle time - helping kids feel secure and signals their brains to wind down.

There are positive solutions to help your crying, tired child and avoid stress at bedtime. With a positive plan and the right skills and strategies, you can turn things around so the whole family gets a good night’s sleep -and everyone is happier and healthier!!

Triple P has a variety of free online parenting courses to help parents and carers confidently handle a range of challenges. Register now at triplep-parenting.net.au