Bedtime Power Struggles

 The Toddler has recently launched a battle during her bedtime. I as usual, started my research on the same. Power Struggle during bedtime is very common amongst 2-3 year old kids. Seeing that The Toddler started just after she turned 2, I have to agree to it.

These power struggles happen when your tot suddenly realizes s/he has a mind of her/his own and s/he'll decide for her/himself. Let your toddler take a few decisions, like which night suit, which bed time story, how many good night kisses (1-2)...


If your tot uses her crib or sleeps in his/her room, they will want to walk up to your room. Don't budge, if you want make them calm down but do not give in, else it will make things worse.

Toddlers become extremely creative when they are closer to 3 years. Nightmares, being afraid of the dark, or a picture in their room is a common development. Sit with your child, tell them nice stories, talk about their day at school, then tell them there is nothing to be scared of and you're there with them. A stuff toy or something that comforts them like a blanket really helps.

Courtesy their new sleep needs and their developed interest in doing everything the way they want to... your tot would not want to sleep during the day, as they used to. Your child is not really ready to give up her nap totally, kids need their naps till they reach an age of 5 years. If you let them skip their day nap, they would be too tired to sleep peacefully at night. Even if s/he doesn't want to sleep at 1 like s/he used to, try to see if s/he's tired at around 2.30-3 and let her take a an hour long nap. Signs of tiredness are clinging on to you, or pushing you aside and crying constantly, being hyper, or rubbing her/his eyes.

At night extend the together time on bed. Talking through personal experience, now hubby/I spend an hour in her room. We let her play for sometime, read a book together (don't involve her a lot), dim the light, sing some rhymes, then switch to a lullaby.

Your child's problem might be like The Toddler's, she doesn't create a scene with her noon nap and sleeps for 2 hours if I don't wake her up (I've started waking her up in an hour now). She is her hyperactive self at night (more than she is at other hours of the day). Dad-effect I say, she sees her dad and any sign of sleep goes for a big toss. Then I was told by my Pediatrician that being hyperactive is a sign of being over tired. Parents.com suggest "When kids are exhausted, they tend to speed up and go wild, so try to put your child to bed before that happens."

If that's not the case then you have a night bird at hand, they will grow out of it once they start school. You can try to shift the mid afternoon nap to early noon nap.

Our favorite part of the bed time routine is a bedtime story. Here I have listed my favorite bedtime stories the Toddler loves:

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
• Hush Little Polar Bear by Jeff Mack 
• Papa, please get the moon for me by Eric Carle
• Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! By Mo Willems

A Tip: you will need lots of patience, and keep anger in check. Always kiss your baby goodbye.
Here's to lots of sweet dreams.