I am personally a firm believer of a bedtime routine. I have always tried to stick to a routine ever since Nina was very young – I started reading bedtime stories to her when she was 10 weeks old (and we haven’t missed a day since). Rest is very important for everyone especially young children. It can really ruin your day when you didn’t sleep enough the night before. To at least be able to start the day fresh and in a good mood would definitely help make one’s day.
Bedtime routine helps children to wind down and gradually prepare to get ready to sleep. Our routine is deeply instilled in Nina that she knows exactly what to do and what comes next. It helps her sense of time as well, which will be very handy to have when she grows up. I am quite a punctual person and Nina has very rarely ever been late to anything, something I hope she will be able to keep up in the future.
But more than anything, before bedtime is the best time to spend together. There’s no rushing to go anywhere, no worries about activities or chores, no distractions from outside world. Just you and your child, spending a calming moment together, comfortable in your pyjamas in the bedroom… a moment filled with cuddles and kisses! Oh is it just not the best!
As she grew older, more rituals have been added to the routine but still, it’s something that we stick to. Now at 4 years old, here’s how our bedtime routine looks like:
Dinner
This is not exactly part of the bedtime routine per se, but Nina knows that dinner means bedtime is near. Just as with lunch, we eat together as a family at the dining table. If your child is not a fan of sitting down for meal times (or of meal times altogether), try to integrate cute items like these:
Calm Free Time
After dinner, depends on what time it is, we either go straight to the shower or Nina can have some independent free time while Mama cleans up. No more messy or active play at this point, as we’re getting ready to end the day. She will also be expected to tidy up her toys and art supplies afterwards. These are some helpful items to help organise her art supplies and toys:
Shower
Now it’s really bedtime routine time – hop into the shower! Kitchen is clean, dining room is clean, her toys and supplies are in their places – time for the child to be clean. We wrap up shower time by brushing her teeth, and getting dressed for bed. Psst… is your child not a fan of shower/bath time? Here are some great products that are sure to make them excited for shower/bath time (where were these when I was little?!):
Bedtime Stories
The highlight of the routine (or even the whole day?): story time! This is the time Nina always says, “one more story!” I also find comfort in reading bedtime stories to her – we’re clean, snuggly, calm, no worries… We constantly borrow books from the library so there is always something new to read. However, we do have a good collection of books of our own and the most treasured ones are, of course, the personalised ones. The personalised books from Wonderbly especially are firm favourites, with their beautiful illustrations and lovely stories. Look at these ones for example (click each picture to see more):
For bedtime, I’d recommend Treasury of Nursery Rhymes since you can read different ones every day. Do have a look at the Wonderbly website because they have dozens of options with different themes and occasions for every age. There’s bound to be something your child will like. (Why wouldn’t they – they are in the book!). You can use code BPTG2EN for 15% off.
After all those pleasant, calming and wind-down activities, surely your child is ready for their slumber! Time for hugs and kisses, lots of them… lights off, tuck in, and good night!