When my first child was born, we began a bedtime routine filled with all the essentials we’d heard about: soft lighting, gentle rocking, lullabies, and then it evolved to reading, a sip of water, and prayers. As he grew to age three, the routine became almost comical: games, songs, numerous prayers, back rubs, and cuddles. Eventually, we simplified it to just brushing teeth and prayers because starting the process at 4 PM was simply too much.
However, the real challenge began once I kissed him goodnight and turned off the light. I would often stand outside his door, counting silently: “Five, four, three…” only to hear “Mom!” echo from within.
“I need a drink of water!” my son would call out. “It’s right there by your bed,” I’d respond, kissing him again before heading to the kitchen to tackle the dishes. But soon, little feet would pad down the hall.
“Mom, I need to go to the bathroom,” he’d say, and off he’d go. Then it would start again. I’d hear creaks on the floor.
“What now?” I’d ask, trying to keep my patience. “The fan is blowing on my feet,” he’d reply, prompting me to adjust his blanket while the toddler in the crib watched with curious eyes.
After a few rounds of this, I’d finally return to the kitchen. Peace would settle in for a brief moment before a little face would pop up from behind the chair, startling me. “I forgot to tell you something!” he’d exclaim, and I’d find myself exasperated, urging him back to bed. On particularly restless nights, this back-and-forth could drag on for two hours.
But what if there’s a way to make bedtime smoother? Enter the concept of the “sleep pass”—a card that lets kids exit their rooms once during bedtime for whatever they deem necessary, be it a bathroom break, a drink of water, or a quick cuddle. Dr. Lisa Parker, a child behavioral specialist, conducted a study that revealed this method could drastically reduce the number of interruptions during the bedtime routine.
The beauty of the sleep pass lies in empowering both parents and children in what can often feel like a chaotic situation. Kids appreciate the chance to leave their room once, while parents can rest easy knowing they’ve set clear boundaries after that.
I’m eager to try this approach tonight. If it can minimize the nighttime chaos, I’m all for it. My son could use the extra sleep, and having to think about whether to use his one exit might actually help him drift off.
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Summary:
Bedtime can often turn into a prolonged battle for parents, but the introduction of a “sleep pass” could provide a solution. By allowing children to leave their rooms once for necessary reasons, parents can regain control over bedtime chaos, ultimately helping kids get the sleep they need.