Helping Your Child Have a Better Night’s Sleep

This post is sponsored by GoodNites® Underwear.

Imagine if there was one simple thing that would help make any child healthier, happier and even smarter?

It turns out, there is: a good night’s sleep. Research shows that getting enough sleep (10-11 hours a night for school-aged kids) helps children think more clearly, get better grades and avoid some health problems. While you can’t force your child to drift off to dreamland, there are definitely steps you can take to help him get a better night’s sleep:

Set the Stage: Make sure your child’s room isn’t too warm, is dark enough and that the bed is comfortable (are there toys or crumbs lurking under the sheets?). Limit liquids close to bedtime and make sure he makes a trip to the bathroom right before bed. A consistent bedtime with a predictable routine—even on vacations and weekend nights—will help your child make the connection between bedtime activities, like tooth-brushing and story time and falling asleep.

Listen and Reassure: Whether he’s scared of the dark or anxious about an upcoming test, your child may have a hard time falling asleep if they’re worried. Lend a listening ear, talk about his concerns and reassure him that everything is okay. If he’s too scared to sleep alone, try sitting with him in his room until he falls asleep. He’ll start to realize that his bedroom is safe and sleep is a happy place.

Choose Media Carefully: Did you know that children with television sets in their bedrooms get less sleep than kids who don’t? Still, all parents need a break from reading bedtime stories now and then. You can add variety to your bedtime story lineup with audio stories – visit BedtimeTheater.com for a series of downloadable stories you and your child will enjoy!

Find Solutions: If your child has an especially hard time falling asleep, you may need to work with him to find ways to make him feel more comfortable and secure at night. Try to pinpoint the problem. Is he scared of the dark? Maybe a night light would help. Is he spooked by shadows outside his window at night? Perhaps he’d rather sleep with his bed facing a different direction. If he’s worried about nighttime accidents, try using GoodNites® Underwear, made with a softer, quieter material (and graphics he’ll love) that will make him more comfortable and less anxious. If your child comes up with an idea to make himself feel more comfortable, give it a try! Even if it sounds silly, it may give him the confidence he needs to fall asleep…and stay that way through the night.

Meagan Francis is a Mother of five and respected blogger at TheHappiestMom.com. She is part of the GoodNites NiteLite panel.

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