Bedtime Routines, Family Reading and Night Terrors (Episode #81) with Hillary Hess
On today’s Helping of Happiness podcast we are covering bedtime routines, night reading, and tips and tricks to help sleep issues including night terrors in children. We all need a good night’s rest, but sometimes that feels impossible with waking toddlers, kids jumping in and out of bed, and screaming in the night. Listen for some fresh ideas of what has worked for the Hess family.
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Show notes:
Hillary’s favorite Bedtime Reads:
Harry Potter, by JK Rowling
The Hobbit, by JRR Tolkein
The Witches or the BFG by Roald Dahl
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan
Fablehaven and Candy Shop Wars, by Brandon Mull
Children of the Promise Series, by Dean Hughes
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by CS Lewis
The Heroes Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
Mrs Piggle-Wiggle, by Betty MacDonald
Hess Bedtime Routine:
Dad reads the short children’s books and does the fun tuck in. Of course teeth, potty, prayers, etc. happen in there as well. Mom reads a more advanced book afterwards, outside the bedroom doors as the kids fall asleep.
Night Waking:
Mom does not sleep well at all when the kids try to jump in the bed and sleep with her and Dad. The compromise is a pillow and blanket on the floor by mom and dad, as long as they are quiet. Otherwise it’s back up to bed without any talking.
Night Terrors:
Put them to bed earlier. Try at least 30 minutes earlier to start.
When they have a night terror, handle them as little as possible. Don’t talk to them or try to console them during night terror. You can do a quick check, but they will fuss themselves to sleep and not even remember it in the morning.
Make sure they haven’t had much to drink before bed. The potty before bed is a must. Sometimes just taking the child to the bathroom during a night terror will stop it immediately. If it’s happening like this every night. Take them to the bathroom right before mom and dad go to bed.
Night Terrors occur more often when sleep deprived. This is always rough for vacations or when company is visiting. They also happen more just before or during a sickness.
If none of this is working, see a sleep doctor. We found this sleep book to be very helpful for all sleep issues with our kids from babies on up: Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child, by Marc Weissbluth.
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