In order to calm children for bedtime it is recommended you should start the winding down process much earlier than you think.
Remember, your toddlers have been playing all day either at home or under someone else’s care, taking in an incredible amount of information from books and television, and they’ve picked up a few hard-earned skills along the way. Truth is, they’ve exerted themselves much harder than many people who work for a living!
The only problem is they want to keep playing and they have no idea they’re cranky simply because they’re tired, so they cry, cry, cry, and parents end up pulling their gray hairs out of their heads asking, “Why, why, why?” Relax.
Repeat after me, “I need to train my toddler. My kid is not a knuckle-headed, ungrateful, spoiled brat and now I’m going to take the steps to prevent my toddler from throwing a tantrum tonight complete with kicking, screaming, and crying by using the following tips:
1. Start with a lukewarm bath before dinner using a calming hypoallergenic soap. Warm baths relax the muscles in their bodies and are one of the best methods to calm children. I’ve always used a lavender-based soap on my toddlers because of its soothing and calming effect but there are many other types out there that’ll do the trick.
2. Enjoy a quiet dinner without the TV. You don’t have to have total silence, just no lively distractions. I love sitting down with my toddler at the dinner table and watching him gobble down his dinner while I talk to him in a normal tone.
3. Your toddler’s belly is full, now you’ve got them where you want them! Now let them be at your side while you do whatever it is you like to do as you wind yourself down. I like watching TV at a normal volume while my toddler sits at my side with his favorite toy. Reading to them is also very effective at this time.
4. Time for a warm cup of milk. Milk contains the amino acid “tryptophan” which is a natural sedative. If your toddler is lactose intolerant try the many milk alternatives on your grocer’s shelves keeping in mind that soy milk has almost as much tryptophan as milk per serving. If they don’t like it straight-up, lightly flavor the milk with their favorite flavored syrup or powdered mix.
5. Finally, the best tip of all: toddlers love to imitate others, especially their own family members. If you’re consistent in relaxing into the night, calm children will always result. You won’t fail and your whole family will get the rest they deserve.
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