As new research carried out by Disney’s Magical Bedtime reveals that parents spend an equivalent of 8 days a year putting their children to bed, more and more parents are finding it difficult to instil a bedtime routine which is effective and efficient.
Parenting on Female First
Child sleep management and psychologist, Liz Fraser, is working closely with Disney’s Magical Bedtime and is offering her expert advice to help parents ignore the mundane excuses and to get into a bedtime routine.
Liz talks to Female First on working with Disney’s Magical Bedtimes and how her bedtime routine is still effective with her teenagers.
1. Hi Liz! You are helping to Launch ‘Disney’s Time for Bed’ service- Could you tell us a little more about this?
Disney Magical Bedtime is a special “time for bed” phone call service, to make that very difficult time of getting children to go to bed (and to sleep!) easier and more fun for all involved. Children love Disney, and the idea here is that their favourite Disney character can say good night to them, and send them off to sleep with a smile, to dream magical dreams! It's not a replacement for the parents in any way; you can join in with them, and be there as they have their special 'good night' from a character that makes them feel happy, and ready to fall asleep and dream or use it as a reward to incentivise good behaviour.
2. Results show that parents spend a lot of time negotiating bedtime with their children- Why are more and more parents having this struggle?
Life is quite hectic these days, many children are not experiencing a nice quiet, calm evening any more. We eat on the go or often late in the evening, listen to loud music and then try to go to sleep. It's impossible! The Disney Magical Bedtime research revealed that on average parents can spend up to 33 minutes a night trying to get their little ones off to sleep – that amounts to 8 days a year! It can be hard to 'switch off' and make sure the evening and the time before bed is really relaxed – getting a consistent routine that helps you child to unwind is key.
3. What advice would you give to parents who find it difficult to get their children to bed?
A daily bed-time routine is essential. Stick to it like glue, even through the bad times when it's not working. The hour before bed is absolutely crucial for getting children to calm down, be quieter, and get their whole bodies and minds ready for sleeping. They are just like us; they need to unwind and that’s why the Disney Magical bedtime call service is great because it can help children to relax with a calm soothing call from a friendly familiar character.
4. What techniques can parents use to get their children into a regular sleeping pattern?
No sugary drinks or snacks in the hour before bed, dim the lights, let them have a nice calming bath, talk more quietly, and make sure they read a bit of their book every night before they switch the light off. If they need their cuddly toy or a special bedtime good night, that's can all really help too. You want them to feel happy and safe and secure, when they are going to sleep.
5. Why do some children find it hard to adapt to a bedtime routine?
Children, like adults, are creatures of habit. What they are used to, is what they find easiest. If you have always had, and stuck to, a bed-time routine, they will find this very easy to stick to, as it's what their bodies and minds are accustomed to. It's hard to start with, but like all habits and routines, it's then what they are used to, what they do and what works!
6. How should parents react to their children’s unusual excuses?
Disney Magical bedtime revealed that over 60% of parents are faced with excuses from their children before bedtimes and some of those shared by the 2,000 parents surveyed were particularly creative such as; ‘Teddy needs the toilet’, ‘I have to feed the cat’ and ‘there’s an alien in the room’. But whatever the excuse, if you give in, you've just made your life a LOT harder, because they know you will! It's as simple as that. It doesn't need to be a fight in any way; just stick to your guns, and make them know that YOU are the boss, not them, and this is how it's going to be. Of course there is some wriggle-room, and you can move the bedtime by 15 minutes each way with no problem at all. But they are children, and they need to do as they are told sometimes, when it's for their own good.
7. If parents are feeling down about their child’s sleep routine, what can they do to pick themselves up?
Always remember that there will be good and bad phases, as with all aspects of life, and especially with children. Sometimes bedtime goes well; other times it's a real struggle for a few days- or even weeks. But it WILL pass, and you just have to stick with it, and know that one day, often unexpectedly, it will all work well and you'll be so glad you did it! You are not a failure as a parent if your child argues with you over bedtime - it's completely normal! We're all in it together, and we just have to believe in what we're doing, and keep doing it.
8. How did you approach bedtime with your children?
I had a routine with them from as early as possible; usually within about 3 months of birth there was a very clear routine of 'bath, pyjamas, last feed, teeth, bed, read, sleep.' Even though they are teenagers now, it's actually not all that different! It works. And it's good for them, and for the whole family.
For more helpful tips from Liz and information, visit: www.disney.co.uk/bedtime
For Disney’s Magical Bedtime, parents can text 78000 (at their standard network rate) or visit www.disney.co.uk/bedtime, to receive a good night message for their child from one of four Disney characters including; Cinderella, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Jake the Never Land Pirate.