If you’re a parent, then you know how difficult it can be to get your child to sleep. Whether they are restless and don’t want to go down for the night or they wake up in the middle of the night, there is no shortage of ways that your child can make it hard for you to get some much-needed rest, too – which is equally important.

Here are a few tips and tricks that will hopefully have everyone sleeping better in your home.

• Create a bedtime routine: When children are small, the most common way to get them down for bed is through a bedtime routine. A good example of this might be reading a book or singing a song before you turn off the light. This then becomes a cue for them that they should fall asleep.
• Encourage your child to sleep in their own bed: You don’t want this one to be a fight, but it’s very important that you encourage your child to sleep in their own bed and not with you. This will help them establish good habits as they age and allow everyone to sleep better.
• Allow them naps during the day: This may seem counterintuitive, but young children need naps during the day. This gives them a break from all of the stimulation around them – plus, they just require more rest. Additionally, if your child is overtired, then they will have difficulty falling asleep at night. 
• Provide a good sleeping environment at night: The temperature of the room, what they can see from their bed, and how comfortable it is are all going to make a big difference when your child goes down for the night. Make sure that there aren’t any distractions like bright lights or loud sounds coming from anywhere else in your home. Try to have all toys picked up and away from their beds, so they’re not inclined to play.
• Be patient with them if you have more than one child at home: If you’ve got multiple children of different ages, then they may have different bedtimes – and often younger children don’t understand why that is the case. But bedtime routines can help with this – along with a frank discussion about how each child is just a little bit different.
• Limit screen time before bedtime: You’ve probably heard by now how blue light can disrupt your sleep pattern, and it can do the same for your children. Small children will want some time away from screens before bed – and reading a book can be a great alternative.
  • As children get older, encourage them to put away phones, tablets, and laptops at least 30 minutes before bed. Perhaps, this is when they could take a shower or bath, read, or just talk with you about their day.
• Keep a consistent wake-up time: This tip is especially important for young kids because their natural rhythms are still developing. If they’re getting up at the same time every day, then their body will get used to that routine, and it’ll be much easier for them to doze off in the evening. 
• Be firm: Yes, kids will look for weakness and try to take advantage of you – with just one more story or a quick glass of water. But if your bedtime routine is consistent – and they don’t break your resolve – you’ll find things go much smoother.

If you’re struggling with getting your children to sleep – you’re not alone. It’s a common struggle for many parents. But when you implement a few of these ideas, you may find that bedtime isn’t so stressful – and that everyone is more rested.