We all have those nights when we just can’t settle into sleep. It may be from late night caffeine or anticipating tomorrow’s activities or a host of other causes - we find ourselves tossing and turning, unable to drift off. Children have those nights, too. Racing minds and growing bodies can be a recipe for restlessness and those endless requests for another drink of water, another book, another hug.

Those evenings are a good time for you to sit on the edge of your child’s bed and stretch your creativity muscles. “Once upon a time…” is a good place to start! It really doesn’t matter what your story is about - I often love to use bugs as my main characters. Take your character on a little adventure - travel through time, meet some new friends, explore a new world. Don’t make it too exciting, though, or it may make it harder for your child to fall asleep! Use a mellow voice and a lot of colorful descriptors to lull your child in a place of relaxation.

If you do not feel confident in making up a story, then take your child on a journey with your words. Just last week my children and I enjoyed a nice evening on beach through our imaginations! We’ve taken a drive up to the mountains, visited family in Africa, gone on a picnic, and been camping - all from the warm comfort of their bedroom.

Here’s a sample of how it may sound:

Close your eyes and imagine that we are going on an adventure, but you don’t know where we are going. You have on shorts, a t-shirt, and your favorite red flip-flops because it has been sunny and warm out today. You notice that I have a picnic basket and blanket in my arms, but I won’t tell you where we are going; I just smile at you as I open the front door. You get little butterflies in your tummy as you get excited for what we are doing. When we step outside you squint your eyes in the bright sun. It feels so warm against your skin. You hop off the front the steps and we head down the sidewalk towards the end of the street. As we pass our neighbor’s house, the tall white one, we can smell the honeysuckle that is growing along the fence…

It probably won’t take long before you hear the gentle, rhythmic breathing of a child deep in sleep. You can also try this for yourself when you are having trouble going to sleep. Good-night to all!

Posted in Parenting, Pre-School Age