If you have trouble getting your child to sleep at night, you’re not alone.

Children can struggle with sleep disorders and sleep anxiety just as adults do, which can make bedtime for kids a nightly routine that everyone dreads. And then there are the children who just don’t want to go to sleep or argue for a later bedtime, which can also upset the nightly routine in your house.

Even if you know the importance of following recommended bedtimes for your children, it doesn’t mean you’re always able to enforce them. But, having a strict kid’s bedtime that you follow in your house doesn’t have to be a nightly fight.

There are a number of ways that you can make a bedtime routine something that your kids actually look forward to.

Below, we’re sharing tips that will make your children’s bedtime more enjoyable for everyone. Read on to learn more.

1. Be Informed

Before you start setting up a nightly routine, you should do some research to determine what the sleep needs of your child are. The amount of sleep a child needs varies by age. You know your daily routine best, so once you figure out how much sleep your child needs total, you can work backward to determine the recommended bedtimes.

You should read up on the exact benefits of sleep for your child, as well. Being armed with this information will give you a goal bedtime to work toward, and the motivation to make it stick.

2. Plan Ahead

If you want your children to get to sleep at the bedtime you’ve set, you need to begin the children’s bedtime routine well in advance. Most children will drag their feet through each pre-bedtime activity, so you need to make sure there’s plenty of time to allow for their delays.

Don’t give them a 10 or 15-minute warning before they have to be asleep. Instead, let them know that it will soon be time to take a bath or brush their teeth, or whatever the first step in their bedtime routine is.

3. Give Your Child a Voice

There are some elements of bedtime for kids that are non-negotiable. Depending on your child’s age, your routine is always going to include brushing teeth and using the bathroom one last time before getting in bed. Those activities are not always the most fun or motivating for children, so give them an opportunity to contribute to the nightly routine as well.

If your child loves to read, you can allow time to share one story in bed. If they love to dress themselves, allow them to select which pajamas they’ll wear that night. Involving them in the process and giving them the chance to choose part of the routine will make them more invested and happier when bedtime does roll around.

4. Be Consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to enforcing bedtime for kids. Keeping the routine the same night after night shows children that bedtime is an important part of their day, just as eating breakfast or going to school is important.

It also helps children associate the particular elements of the routine with sleep. If they always read a book right before going to bed, it will reach a point where the act of reading makes them tired and prepares them to fall asleep.

5. Create the Right Environment

The bedroom environment that you create for your child can actually help them to fall asleep easier once bedtime comes. At nighttime, your child’s bedroom should be dark, quiet, and cool enough that they can sleep comfortably under their sheets and a blanket.

If your child is afraid to sleep in the dark, you can allow them to have a nightlight or keep the light on dim in the hallway outside their door. Keep in mind that you will have some responsibility to keep the rest of the house quiet as they are falling asleep. A fan or white noise machine is also good for helping to drown out ambient noise.

6. Be Honest About Adult Sleep Struggles

Adults who struggle with falling asleep are more in control and have more options than children do to combat the situation. Don’t be afraid to be honest with your child about your sleep struggles, or the struggles of other adults they know well and trust.

Children can often get frustrated if they think they aren’t doing something right or can’t do something as well as an adult can. Let them know that sleep is difficult for adults sometimes too. The truth can be comforting.

7. Put Away Screens

Even if you allow your children screen time during the day, bedtime for kids should be a device-free operation. Smart devices and electronics can inhibit bedtime because of the light they emit when on, and because the content is often stimulating for children.

8. Encourage Daily Activity

You can help your children be ready for bedtime at night by encouraging them to be active during the day. Daily exercise promotes lifelong healthy habits, and being physically tired will help them wind down at night.

Try to work in active play during the morning or mid-afternoon. If you get them riled up too close to bedtime, it could actually work to stimulate them and keep them up longer.

9. Eat Dinner Early

Between your work, the kid’s school, and nightly activities and homework, getting dinner on the table is not always easy. Still, you should try to set dinnertime to be as early as possible, and keep it consistent as much as you are able.

If your child gets hungry ahead before bedtime, offer a small healthy snack or a glass or milk or water.

10. Address Bedtime Fears

Imaginary bedtime fears—like a monster under the bed or in the closet—can be a very real hindrance to bedtime for fears. Rather than dismissing your child’s fears, address them. Go through the paces of checking for monsters, or giving them a stuffed animal for protection.

Ready to Improve Your Kid’s Bedtime?

Getting ready for your kid’s bedtime should be a ritual that you look forward to sharing together, and not an all-out war. Following these simple tips will help your child look forward to bedtime, and sleep better overall.

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