The Bath, Book, Bed routine is once again being highlighted by parenting expert Jo Frost and the BookTrust.
Lack of sleep is one of the hardest parts of being a parent and getting children to sleep can be one of the biggest challenges.
A regular routine is the best way to get children ready for sleep. A simple bath, book, bed routine can be relaxing for both children and parents. It is a time to switch off from technology and create an environment that is just you and the children. Where they have your undivided attention for a while to play before relaxing and having a cuddle. Sharing a story can feed the children’s imagination, creativity and confidence.
This routine is obviously not going to work for everyone and you will need to adapt it to what works for you and your family but it is a fab basis to work around. Lucas will often be a lot more alert after a bath so we tend to do baths in the morning now (although that is becoming increasingly difficult as he doesn’t believe he needs a bath unless he has been swimming and in his own words ‘need to move the chlorine’)
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If you don’t think a simple bath book bed routine would work for your child, why not get crafty making a set of worry dolls or dream catchers? You could even make a (placebo) fairy dust or peaceful sleep spray. We made a calm jar which is so simple to do. You simply fill a jar or bottle about a third full with warm water, add some glitter glue and stir to mix it into the water, then you can add some food colouring if you like, add some glitter and fill the bottle up but leave enough space for the water and glitter to move. You can then watch the glitter which is mesmerising and if your child is unsettled, waiting for the glitter to fall to the bottom gives that bit of time out. Lucas really enjoys painting and we find that is a great way for him to relax as he completely focuses on the brush strokes and likes this as a quiet activity.
Every evening we go upstairs and he will wash his face and brush his teeth rather than having a bath and then go into the bedroom and play with his sticker books or do his jigsaws in a quiet calm environment. He takes the lead of where he wants to place the stickers or which jigsaw he wants to do and he gets chance to talk to us about anything that is on his mind before settling down. We have found that whilst doing this, he will often start talking about something that has happened during the day or what someone has said to him at nursery.
Once he has had time playing, Lucas will get into his Peppa Pig blow up bed that he has decided is his reading corner and read a couple of stories before he goes to bed for snuggles then sleep.
What do you do for your children’s bed time routines? If you want any suggestions and top tips from Jo Frost, check out the free downloadable booklet that features Daddy Pig. There is also a Twitter Party being held from 8-9pm tomorrow (Wed 11th April) where there is a chance to win prizes and exchange advice around bedtime. To take part use the hashtag #BathBookBed
The BookTrust have also offered a bedtime bundle to one of my readers which includes
1x Peppa Pig Book
1x Peppa Pig Toothbrush
1x Peppa Pig Toothpaste
1x Peppa Bubble Bath
1x Bath, Book, Bed booklet
2x Bedtime Books (randomly chosen, may not be the same as pictured)
To enter, use the app below x
BookTrust and Peppa bundle
