Since the kids are back to school now, I am focusing more on getting them to bed at a decent time. A huge part of them falling asleep at the correct time though is having them do everything they need to before they lay down. This handy bedtime checklist helps guide our little ones on the right path, and we love to read our new bedtime book, Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy to remind our kids why we have this system in place.
Bedtime Checklist
Some kids fall asleep the moment their heads hit the pillow and others like to drag it out for as long as possible, sometimes putting their parents to sleep in the process. I like the idea of a bedtime checklist because it sets kids up for a lifetime of ease by teaching them good habits early on. Plus, it saves from so many interruptions during bedtime and helps to prevent bedtime accidents.
You can download your own bedtime checklist like the one we use here. I printed ours out and have laminated it so that we can use dry erase markers as we make it through the list. I purchased a laminator from Amazon for under $20 and it does the job well without taking up a lot of space.
Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy
I have been the lone parent doing bedtime over here for over ten years and I wouldn’t change it for the world. What I have tried to change over the years is making the process more efficient and Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy by Drew Daywalt is a great addition to your bedtime routine if you’re trying to do the same.
Read all about Roderick and his insanely creative ways to drag out bedtime for just one minute more. In the beginning, my little ones were laughing (and probably taking notes) at all of Roderick’s shenanigans while I was feeling pangs of sympathy for the parents in the book.
But Roderick’s parents pulled a swift one after what I assume was one too many nights of a horrendous bedtime routine, and brought home Sleepy, a high maintenance bear, to help them out. Once the tables were turned and Roderick was the one having to put up with shenanigans, my kids had an a-ha moment and no longer thought that staying up was that great.
If you’re looking for a great addition to your bedtime routine that will keep the whole family laughing (right before they quickly fall asleep) then grab Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy by Drew Daywalt, the New York Times #1 best-selling author of The Day the Crayons Quit, and illustrated by Scott Campbell.
Pin for later:
Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.
Nice checklist to go by to ensure everything is done before bed
Useful checklist, I would print this out!
This post helped with putting my kids to sleep on time. Thanks.
Thank you for posting these checklists!
Great article and nice ideas about tugging my boy to sleep!
Thanks. Printed checklist
you know what? that bed time check list is a very useful thing to have. what a fabulous idea. some kids like my oldest, get through their day better when they have a plan in place. we use checklists when we have family outings but i never thought to use it before bed too. and it is fun for them to check off the list as they finish the items on their list.
Routines are so important. All of our lives become less stressed.
I like the checklist idea
Looks like a great product! I know one little boy who could really use it…
In my practice, there are a lot of parents mentioning their challenges in getting their children to get organized and into bed at a good hour. I recommend that a bedtime routine is so important and these would be good resources for that.
There’s nothing like a good book to give a good night sleep
Great article and nice ideas about tugging my boy to sleep!
This is so helpful and perfect! Thank you so much 🙂
I think this is a wonderful idea. Routine is so helpful for children.
This is great! We are having such problems putting our 3 yr old grandson to sleep!
Bedtime is such an important time of the day and should be calm and enjoyable.
It’s nice to have a checklist in your mind when it is bedtime. sweet dreams.