A typical kid’s bedtime routine might involve winding down with a bath or shower, then podcasts or books, brushing teeth, and perhaps “just-one-more snack?” before finally settling into bed. It’s the time of day parents dread yet also can’t wait for, where patience is tested and staying calm can be difficult depending on how well or poorly it’s going. But may we suggest adding in one more important step to your child’s nighttime routine that we promise won’t prolong the part where they actually fall asleep and you get to go about your night?

Bedtime can be a great opportunity to connect with your child, and you can take advantage of these evening hours as a time to emphasize what you love about them or about the great things that happened that day.

Instead of letting them fall asleep to sleepy YouTube videos that attempt to transport the kiddo to an aquarium or the zoo or onto a cloud with a dozing-off puppy (yes, these are all actual videos that exist and that I’ve tried with my 6-year-old), swap in that screen time with more purposeful lights-out ideas. Positive affirmations are simple statements that can be so meaningful and memorable to a child, and studies have shown that they can affect children for the better both at home and in the classroom.

Just before the eyelids droop and the breathing gets heavy, consider saying any of these mantras to your child. It’ll send them off to a sweet slumber feeling loved, and hopefully get them into a habit of accepting compliments and maintaining good self-esteem.

• You did so great today

• You’re such a great helper/friend/sibling etc.

• You have such great ideas

• You’re so special to this family

• You’re such a good listener

• You’re such a sweet kid

• You can do hard things

• All your practice is paying off

• I know you can do it

• I loved our day together

• I’m excited to spend tomorrow with you

• I’m so lucky to be your mommy/daddy

Want some more feel-good statements to add to your bedtime repertoire? Bookmark this Instagram reel.

This all being said, we’d love to hear from you, what are your bedtime routines?

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