5 Ways to Make Your Preschooler’s Bedtime Easier

Bedtime for preschoolers can be the hardest time of the day. Your kiddo is tired and this is often the time of day when it’s challenging for them to regulate their emotions. If you’re anything like me, you’re also tired and your patience is waning. It’s not the easiest time of day to be consistent. Unfortunately, for some kids, inconsistency at bedtime can mean your 20 minute bedtime routine suddenly takes an hour.

So what can you do if your preschooler’s bedtime routine is getting harder to manage and taking longer than you would like? Follow these steps to an easier bedtime.

5 Ways To Make Your Preschooler’s Bedtime Easier

1. Prioritize an appropriate bedtime. Preschool age children will perform at their best with 10.5 to 12 hours of sleep each night, plus a 1-2 hour nap for most. Many preschoolers will catch a second wind by 7:30 P.M. If you’re meeting a lot of resistance, try to have the lights out by 7 P.M. Catching your kiddo before their second wind can make a HUGE difference. Also, using a toddler clock will help your kiddo know when it’s time to sleep and when it’s okay to wake up in the morning. 
2. Have a consistent routine that takes no more than 20-30 minutes. Write the routine out for your child – think 5 steps. Keep their “sleep rules” or “sleep steps” in their room and walk through them each night. Don’t deviate off the steps. If they ask for an extra book for example, you’ll remind them that the sleep rule is to read two books. I share a Sleep Rules example in my 5 Tips For An Awesome Family Meeting freebie.
3. Remember that you’re on the same team, but YOU are the team captain. It’s important to go into the bedtime routine with a positive attitude, but remember that you’re leading this team. “Do you remember what the first sleep step is? Step one is put on your jammies and brush your teeth. Okay, let’s do the first step.” Once you finish step one, “Good job – you finished the first step. High five. Do you remember the second step? The second step is to read two books. Let’s do step two.”
4. Use natural consequences for stalling or resistance. This is hard, but hands down the best way to curb stalling. “If we don’t brush your teeth now we won’t have time for two books before it’s bedtime – there will only be time for one. Oh bummer, now we only have time for one book. Let’s brush your teeth now so we still have time to read one book.” Note: This is when you take a deep breath brace yourself for a meltdown. 
5. Follow through. If you say you no longer have time for two books, only read one. Your child will be upset. That’s okay – they are allowed to feel their big emotions. Follow through on this a couple of times and suddenly when you say you won’t have time for two books they will realize you are serious and they will come brush their teeth.

Before changing how you go through your bedtime routine be sure to sit your kiddo down and explain the new plan. Preschoolers don’t like surprises, particularly one like a new bedtime routine or new bedtime expectations. Preparation is key and to help you, I’ve prepared some tips on how best to share the new. Click here to download my 5 Tips For An Awesome Family Meeting.

These changes may mean you have a few particularly exhausting and emotional bedtimes, but soon you’ll have an easy bedtime routine you and your kiddo can both enjoy. You got this!