Sleep Solutions By Christine | Washington DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia | Fort Lauderdale
  • Services
    • Strategy Calls
    • Newborns (0-11 weeks)
    • Infants (3-18 months)
    • Toddlers (19 months - 11 years)
    • Adult Sleep Consulting | Sleep Solutions
  • About
  • Sleep Resources
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Services
    • Strategy Calls
    • Newborns (0-11 weeks)
    • Infants (3-18 months)
    • Toddlers (19 months - 11 years)
    • Adult Sleep Consulting | Sleep Solutions
  • About
  • Sleep Resources
  • Careers
  • Contact

My Toddler Hates Bedtime

3/8/2023

Comments

 
Things to do when your kid won't let you out of the room.
Picture
​Here’s the scenario: you’ve all had a long day, you’re tired and you’re totally ready for your toddler to go to bed for the night. You do the bath, the PJs, brush teeth (maybe), read a story, sing a quick song, pick a new stuffed animal…then you go to put your toddler into their crib and your sweet child stands there and screams at the top of their lungs!

It might catch you off guard. It might be something new. Likely, you’ve entered a new phase of growth. I promise it’s normal, if only for a short time for a toddler to scream and protest at bedtime, but won't last forever. 

Why does my toddler scream? 

Here's what's going on: Your toddler is learning! Toddlers are learning how to do things, how to get things and what's expected of them. They want to have all the independence in the world, but have no idea what to do with it. For instance, your toddler wants to run free in a parking lot filled with cars...do you let him? Of course not! Your little one likely doesn't understand cause and effect...the same thing goes for bedtime when your toddler would rather be playing and having a good time with you than go to bed! Toddlers are also learning that their actions result in a reaction from parents. 

What do you do when your toddler screams at bedtime?

As parents, it's up to us to set limits.  We can fall all too easily into the trap of letting our child run the home. I mean, they are incredibly needy and can’t do much for themselves right? But as parents, we know what is best for our child (aka they need to sleep to function…) and we have our own sleep needs as well. Setting limits helps us to meet our own needs in addition to the needs of our child when they can’t recognize them on their own.

So how do we set these limits?

It can become a bit of a dance, but it all starts with a firm, predictable routine. Each night, do the same routine so it is clear to your child that bedtime is approaching and they will be sleeping soon. Taking a bath, getting into pajamas, brushing teeth, etc. are some things that can be a part of your routine. 

Here’s where the fun comes in! Since toddlers are discovering their independence, they are likely to want to gain control of every situation they can, which can be a part of the reason why they are struggling with bedtime. The key to dodging big power struggles is to give your child bite-sized bits of control throughout the evening. What do I mean? Consider this. Your child cannot choose whether or not they want to go to bed, but they can choose if they want the green pajamas or the blue pajamas. See what I mean? If your child is given the chance to make age-appropriate decisions, they will feel more in control. Let them choose the bedtime story or the song you sing to them. Allow them some independence in the smaller things while standing firm in the big picture. 

Once your child feels like they have some control, it will be easier to enforce the limits you’ve set surrounding bedtime. One of these limits should be a specific set bedtime between 7-8:00pm, and can also include expectations such as reading only one story, singing just one song, etc. Being firm, but gentle with your child will send the message that this is a solid rule that they are expected to follow. Of course, with each child and situation, it’s important to use your own judgment. Come up with a plan. Predict what may happen before it occurs and plan out your responses. What will you say if your child cries for you to stay with them? Maybe you settle them in and tell them you’ll check in on them in 10 minutes. Maybe you remind them of what a great day they had and encourage them to think about what to do tomorrow. Maybe you let them cry for a little bit to show them you mean business before checking in on them again. Whatever you choose to do, make the expectations clear. And remember that this is only a season and you won’t be dealing with this forever!

Have you ever been trapped by an overtired toddler? Are you stuck in a rut and can’t figure out what to do next? Schedule a free call with me and I’ll help you troubleshoot!

Ready for better sleep? Let’s start the journey today. Book your consultation now and discover a personalized sleep solution for your family.

Back to All Posts

Comments

    Categories

    All
    About
    Adjusting Routine
    Adult Sleep
    Adult Sleep Consultant
    Alyssa
    Annapolis
    Appearances
    Autism
    Baby
    Baby Sleep
    Baby Sleep Help
    Baby Transition
    Baltimore
    Bassinet
    Bedroom
    Bedtime Routine
    Binky
    Breastfeeding
    Case Studies
    Child
    Children
    Children's Snoring
    Child Routine
    Child Sleep
    Child Sleep Issues
    Christine Stevens
    Clock
    Comfort Objects
    Comfort Objects Can Help Children Sleep Better After A Move
    Coparenting
    Co Sleeping
    Co-sleeping
    Crib
    Crib To Bed
    Daycare Naps
    DC
    Design A Sleep Friendly Bedroom
    Design A Sleep-friendly Bedroom
    Divorce
    Dream Journals
    Dreams
    Enough
    Environment
    Extinction Bursts
    Fairfax
    Family Outings
    Feeding
    Fireworks
    Florida
    Fort Lauderdale
    Help
    Holiday Routines
    Ill
    Infant Sleep
    ​kids And Snoring
    Kids’ Old Sleep Habits
    Kids’ Old Sleep Habits
    Kids' Sleep Health
    Late Nights
    Light Sensitivity
    Los Angeles
    Loud Noises
    Making Bedtime Fun In A New Home
    Maryland
    Mom Questions
    Mom Things
    Moving
    Moving Toddlers Out Of Cribs
    Moving Your Child To Their Own Room
    Myth
    Nap
    New Sleep Environment
    New Sleep Schedules After Moving Abroad
    Nightmare
    Nightmares
    Night Nurse
    Night Terror
    Night Terrors
    Nighttime Fears
    Noise Protection
    Nursing
    Outdoor Naps
    Overcoming Jet Lag After A Move
    Pacifier
    Parenting
    Pediatrician Consultation
    Pediatric Snoring
    Regression
    Routine
    Safe
    Sarah
    Self-soothing
    Sensory Issues
    Separation Anxiety
    Sick
    Single Parents
    Sleep
    Sleep Aids
    Sleep Consultant
    Sleep Expert
    Sleep Habits
    Sleep Help
    Sleep Hygiene
    Sleeping
    Sleep Patterns
    Sleep Schedules
    Sleep Solutions
    Sleep Success
    Sleep Things
    Sleep Tips
    Sleep Training
    Snoring In Kids
    Teething
    Temporary Accommodations During A Move
    Time
    Tips
    Toddler
    Toddler FOMO
    Toddler Sleep
    Transition
    Travel
    Twins
    Vacation
    Virginia
    Wahington DC
    Washington
    Washington DC
    White Noise

    RSS Feed

    sleep guide for parents to get kids to sleep
Picture

Interested in learning more about me or how I can help your child sleep all night?  ​

Sleep coaching and consulting for clients world-wide, and near you in Annapolis, Fairfax, Arlington, Baltimore, Washington DC, Maryland, Delaware, the Eastern Shore and Northern Virginia. 
Infant Mental Health Training
Professional Sleep Consultants
Home    Services    About    Sleep Resources    Careers    Contact
Phone : 443-343-2832
Email : [email protected]


© 2017-2025 Sleep Solutions by Christine
​​ADA Compliance | Waking Girl Web Design ​