Make your evenings peaceful, this allows for your child to be settled long before bed time. Give them a routine each night, so they know when bedtime is coming up and mentally prepare for “sleepy time”. Make this a special ritual that they look forward to, cleaning teeth, being tucked up cosily and lovingly in bed, singing lullabies and/or reading, for example.

Don’t encourage “calling out” or getting out of bed again, once they have been put to bed. Children can become masters at stringing out going to bed if you let them. You are the one that needs to set the pace here in a loving yet firm way. Children can sense from a mile off, when you mean what you say or if they have room to manoeuvre. (ie, they can learn very quickly how to manipulate you!) Daytime napping should not be too long or too late in the afternoon.

Children can become masters at stringing out going to bed if you let them. You are the one that needs to set the pace here in a loving yet firm way. Children can sense from a mile off, when you mean what you say or if they have room to manoeuvre. (ie, they can learn very quickly how to manipulate you!) Daytime napping should not be too long or too late in the afternoon.