
NOTE: Overtired kids have a harder time with bedtime. When my kiddos are overtired or over stimulated they draw bedtime out dramatically: tantrums, repetitively whining “I’mmmmm nooooooot tiiiiiiiirred”, always wanting one more book, floppy giggling (that can be perceived as cute early on) and other finely tuned stalling tactics.
Lots of light exposure, and an upbeat wakeup song and book in the morning (I like Sandra Boynton’s
) quickly followed by some nourishment. Food helps our bodies wake up and get the day going!
impossible to get out of bed in the morning, and then get a second wind after almost falling asleep in their spaghetti at dinner time, that’s normal. It takes the body-clock some time (6 weeks for some children) to shift their schedules so that they are ready for bed earlier and alert in the morning when it’s time to get up. It will happen with practice – rest assured!
– In the meantime, it’s always a great reminder to use your words to Get Curious about what may be behind any stalling tactics, “I know lots of things are changing and seem uncertain this time of year. That can be really hard. What else are you thinking about?”