HELP how do you get your kids to bed?

Question

hi i just want some tips on how to get a 9year old and 6 year old to sleep at a decent hour i send them to bed about 8 8-30 but they dont get to sleep for hours and my 9 year old is having trouble getting up in the morning and dosnt want to go to school serious answers only

Answer 1

drug 'em

(benadryl works well)

Answer 2

For your 9 year old, could the fact that she doesn't want to go to school and the fact that she has a hard time falling asleep be connected?

Maybe something is going on in school that is upsetting her, scaring her, or something like that, that keeps her up at night.... You should probably try to find out why she doesn't want to go to school.

As for your 6 year old, when does she get up? If she isn't tired the next day, then she is probably getting enough sleep, too much sleep, and so it takes her a few hours to fall asleep.

Answer 3

Velcro and Duck Tape

Ok, seriously - try to plan their evenings with a routine that includes not eating too close to bedtime and some physical exertion just before bath time.  The combination of exercise / bath / bed - and making it routine - should help.

Also - your 9 year old is getting the age he/she only needs about 8 hours per night so you may want to consider a later bedtime.

Answer 4

reward them. tell them you will suprise them with a reward in the morning if they go to sleep at a certain time

Answer 5

Not sure if your children go to sleep in dark or not. I have an 11 and 5 yr old and put them to bed with t.v on however their t.vs both have timers to turn them off auto. I usually set it for about 30 mins putting them to bed @ 9 pm and letting them know if they aren't asleep when tv goes off they will be in the dark and this usually works for them. If this doesn't seem like an idea u can or want to try then I would go with what other person said give them a time frame and if they are asleep do something special next day or something like that .

Answer 6

I too have a 9 yr old and a 6 yr old and they go to bed at the same time as yours.  As long as they stay in there bed, with the lights off, I don't worry too much about how late they stay up.  I prefer that they do not have an outside stimulus like toys, or a T.V.  In fact they will never have a T.V in there room.  You can't force them to go to sleep, as long as they are quiet and preparing to go to sleep I wouldn't worry.  

If they are not quiet and are up and around a lot, you need to come up with a consequence for this. Are they coming out a lot to talk to you, then you need to ignore them, walk up to them, take there hand and lead them back to bed with out speaking or making eye contact. Make sure that they get that drink of water or go to the bathroom before bedtime to eliminate any excuses. Those are the two most popular at our house.  Also on the weekend you need to try to stick to the same time. If not they get all out of wack and that could cause problems as well.

Answer 7

Bribing is NOT the answer. If you put them to bed at a certain time, and they disobey, than take away some of their privileges. Wear them out during the day, after school, have them come home do their homework, than go outside and play. Make sure they have a snack, than eat dinner, clean up, and when it's bed time, have them read for 30 minutes or so. Put them to bed at 8-8:30pm and lights out 8:30-9:00pm. Wake them up at least an hour before the bus comes(or when they start school). If all else fails, than taking privileges away is your best bet. Once they get in the habit, however, than maybe rewarding them, like out for some ice cream, or dinner, is great. But don't do it just to try & get them to follow your rules. Note: Kids around that age only need anywhere from 6-9 hours of sleep. Make sure they aren't over sleeping. If they sleep for more than 9 hours a night, try putting them to bed a little later.

Good luck!

Answer 8

have them lay with the dog or cat. let them watch t.v. in beduntil they conk out. pay them...i'm serious it works...lay with them or as a last resort say if they don't stay in their bed then they're grounded or they get something taken away