Solid routines can equal solid bedtimes! !Getting ready for bed is one of the most important routines for kids to have established. It can allow for a better night’s sleep and a healthier start to a new day. For the most effective results, ensure that consistency with your routine is top priority. This can help kids feel more safe & secure.

Kids need adequate rest for proper development. On average for children under 5 years, sleep should range from about 10-12 hours per night.  Parents also need downtime and a good rest as well.

5 BEDTIME ROUTINE TIPS

1.) POST the routine in or near the bedroom so kids can follow along. 
2.) QUIET activities before bed are helpful like colouring or books.
3.) Keep things POSITIVE by saying good things about the day or what your child means to you.
4.) Give enough TIME for the whole routine to be complete.
5.) Offer time NOTIFICATIONS between each part of the routine such as '5 minutes till bath time'.
Enjoy & have FUN!

Contact or learn more about Julie Romanowski - Mother, Coach, Leader, Educator, Author, Speaker & founder of Miss Behaviour: parenting coach & consultant services.

www.missbehaviour.ca
778-996-6535

We've provided 6 TIPS to consider for transitioning from crib into a toddler bed because we know how tricky this can be for some Parents. Stop the exhaustion or prevent it from even happening.

6 TIPS FOR THE BIG TRANSITION
1.) Keep the routine the same as much as possible. If you don't have a solid routine, start with that first!
2.) Discuss with your child a few days before to let them know a change will be occurring. 
3.) Set up clear boundaries around what is acceptable or not. 
4.) Follow through with routine & boundaries each and every time to ensure consistency. 
5.) Always acknowledge the emotions that may arise before/during/after the transition. 
6.) Ensure they are 'emotionally' ready for this next step. There is no rush.

If you would like more details about this or a CUSTOMIZED PLAN for you and your family, contact us to set up a FREE phone consultation! You deserve it!

Bathtime is a great opportunity for children to be able to relax, have fun and enjoy themselves while keeping healthy and clean. Here are some super-tips to help make this experience more easy and fun for everyone!

1.)  Make bathtime part of a daily routine, during the evening around bedtime is good. Keep consistent by having a bath daily at the same time every day.  This will help them to feel secure in the routine and be able to predict what’s next.

 2.)  Give a lot of warning time before the bathtime. Let children know there will be a change happening as they won’t like to just stop and start something without the warning. Repeat warnings and give time increments such as '5 minutes left before bath time’. Timers are useful. 

3.)  Make bathtime FUN! Bring in toys, games and activities. Allow enough time for kids to play and have fun as well as wash themselves. Most bathtimes are about 15-20 minutes.

4.)  Prepare all the necessary equipment needed for the bath. Have it already in the bathroom especially the towel! Never leave child (of any age) unattended in the water. Put a floor mat near the tub and always help your child in and out of the tub to ensure safety. 

​5.)  Some children fear washing their hair. Talk them through it and let them know you understand. Let them put the shampoo on and use a cup to pour water carefully to wash it out. Cover their face with facecloth to prevent water going into their eyes & ears.

 6.)  If a child is fearful to even get into the tub, use a gradual process and be consistent. Avoid being anxious as the child may feel the anxiety and feel insecure. Sponge baths inside the bathroom but out of the tub can be a helpful, gradual step. Try getting into the tub with the child too.

 7.)  Encourage children by making comments about how well they are doing. This helps them understand the expectation you have around bathtime and it keeps bathtime fun and positive.

Contact or learn more about Julie Romanowski - Mother, Coach, Leader, Educator, Author, Speaker & founder of Miss Behaviour: parenting coach & consultant services.

www.missbehaviour.ca
778-996-6535

You can 'de-code' tantrums by sorting them into 2 separate groups. The first is 'TANTRUM PREVENTION' and the second is 'TANTRUM RESPONSE'.

PART 1. ) TANTRUM PREVENTION
Tantrum prevention is an important piece of the puzzle as this will be a 'proactive' approach which can help decrease tantrums tremendously if not stop them all together. It will be more effective in tackling tantrums versus not doing any prevention and be left dealing with them constantly which is a 'reactive' approach. 

   A.) Increase Sleep - 
One of the main issues behind behaviour in children is lack of adequate sleep. This is a huge issue for a lot of Parents who just seem to 'put up with it' because they don't know what else to do. Toddlers are needing about 12-14 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period for proper growth & development and to just function normally on a daily basis.. {Infants about 14-16 hours and preschoolers about 10-12 hours}. Ensure your child is getting enough sleep as this will help diminish tantrums and behaviours.

 B.) Increase Routine - 
You may have several routines already but if your little tot is misbehaving or having a lot of tantrums, they may not be effective enough. At this early age you can't have enough routines. Children but especially toddlers, thrive on structure and routine. Being able to 'predict' what is going to happen next is a critical component to a child's learning and understanding.

 C.) Increase Attention -
There is a good chance that even though you may be spending every waking minute ( and night time too) with your child, there may not be enough 'attention' in the 'tank'. This is your quality, one-on-one time that you spend with your child with no other distractions or items on the agenda accept for making a true connection. Many Parents admit that this is lacking on a daily basis because they just think they are with them all the time anyway, so what difference does it make. There is a huge difference when you 'top up the tank' of attention as this builds attachment, connection and trust. 

Click here to continue reading PART 2 of Decoding Tantrums >>>>>