Getting kids back into a school bedtime routine with Sleepy’s

Before I became a mom, I allowed myself to just go to sleep whenever I wanted. Or I would just fall asleep in front of the TV and move on to bed.

Now I know that these habits are not conducive for being productive the next day! So for my kids, I’m a sleep officer and it’s not because I want them out of my hair. (Well, OK, sometimes I DO wish bedtime would come sooner!) It’s more because I know that with good sleep I have more agreeable children. When it comes to getting out the door to daycare/preschool I need “agreeable” on my side!

Getting those kids to bed

In a recent study conducted by Sleepy’s, over half of parents surveyed found it “somewhat” to “very difficult” to move kids from summer leniency to school sleep routines. The increased popularity of tech gadgets among younger aged children makes this transition process all the more daunting for parents. Sixty-six percent of parents report that their kids use at least one of the following devices after bedtime: cell phone, computer, TV or video game system. In addition, one in three children under 18 sleeps with their cell phone or iPod on a regular basis. The correlation between technology and sleep schedules makes the challenging transition even more difficult for parents with school-aged children.

Establish a back to school sleep routine

Dr. Michael J. Breus, a clinical psychologist specializing in sleep disorders, recommends that parents follow several steps in order to make the back to school process as smooth as possible. Breus suggests limiting or eliminating caffeine intake by 2:30 pm and getting your kids outside and moving during the day. In addition, making kid’s bedrooms as dark as possible may improve the process as their bedtime often arrives before the sun sets during the first few months of fall. Finally, have your kids “unplug and power down” and hour before bedtime. Encourage them to read and relax in order to allow their bodies an opportunity to wind down.

A comfy bed means a great night’s sleep

The good news from the survey arrives with the fact that 72% of parents stated that the transition lasts a few days at most. If your children seem to take longer in order to get back into their sleep routines, the culprit may be their bedding. Sleepy’s offers quality mattresses, low prices, and personal attention geared towards helping consumers receive the best night’s sleep possible. Keeping up to date on the latest sleep technology, Sleepy’s provides a wide selection of brand name mattresses at affordable prices.

Cover the mattress with super soft sheets, a good quilt or down comforter and cozy pillow and your kids might protest only a little at bedtime. I also use aromas that promote sleep – just a dab of jasmine oil on the corner of the pillow – and a sound machine with soothing ocean sounds can create a soothing environment. Just thinking about it makes me sleepy!

Here’s some good advice from a sister-friend’s mom: spend money on a good mattress and good shoes. If you think about it, it makes sense: an achy back or feet make for a really bad day!

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Disclosure: Michelle attended an event at Sleepy’s in NYC to facilitate this post and received a copy of Dr. Michael Breus’ book The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan: Lose Weight Through Better Sleep.