Those Notorious Monsters

Q: He stalls at night when it is bed time and lately he hasn’t been listening but then again each time I or his daddy say something he says “what?” ugh. He is 4

A: Well if my diagnosis is correct, it sounds to me like you have a preschooler. There are several treatments which I will recommend, that need to be taken orally.

1) Develop a routine. It is critical that preschool and school aged children have predictability when it comes to their daily lives. Even adults have routine that keep us in our place (can you function without that morning cup of coffee). If a child knows that its night snack, bathroom, story time, and bed time, then they know what to expect next.

2) Beware of staling techniques. Kids are notorious for creating reasons to stop the bed time or get out of bed. “I have to go to the bathroom” “I need to go pee” “there is a monster under my bed”. At times I want to reward my children for being so creative for reasons to get out of bed. However both parents to be on the same page and have the same rules. Communicate this before hand. Also have all the stall tactics planned out. If you know they will want a bathroom, make sure they go before. Or have a cup of water waiting for them before they go to bed.

3) Be patient with them. For many parents, this is the only time when they can be alone and you “need” then to go to bed…right now. But we need to consider that most kids are still trying to develop their reasoning and do not know why they need to go to bed. It may be helpful for you to show them the importance of staying healthy and that sleep is a part of this. Also consider that when they say “what”, they may not have even clued into the fact you said anything or knew you were even in the room. If they were playing with a toy, they could have a whole narrative in their head about what they were doing. They genuinely may not have heard you because they were enthralled in their own activity.

There you have it. Your prescription to a healthy bedtime. What are some of your idea’s to creating a healthy bedtime routine.

Trevor works as a child protection worker and a licensed registered Social Worker in his home province. During his schooling and training he specialized in mental illness and addictions. He looks forward to answering your questions on mental illness, addictions, parenting or child behavior.

Check out other Q & A with Trevor posts HERE

Do you have a question you would like answered on Q & A with Trevor?

E-mail your questions to mommymomentblog AT gmail DOT com with the Title Q & A in the subject line or use our contact form in the top link bar! You can also leave your questions in the comment section here if you prefer!

Subscribe to our posts, it’s easy!

PLEASE note that our Birthday bash will be running full force with up to 5 posts per day. Please do not be scared away as this will only last 1 week. How else can I offer my fabulous readers over $2000 in great giveaways! Happy 1st Blog Birthday to Mommy Moment, but YOU get the presents!

Check out all our current giveaways in the sidebar including the $249 Rosetta Stone TOTALe giveaway!