5 Ways to Make Sure your Child Feels Loved at Bedtime, Posted on Elephant Journal
After three and a half years, I’ve finally got bedtime routine with my children down.
Bath (Sometimes. When really dirty or we have lot of free time), PJs, story, some lovie-dovie stuff, kiss and then the walk out the door with fingers crossed I don’t hear, “mommmyyyy, I’m thirsty!”
Check, check and check.
I’ve got this sleep thing down!
And yet, I know there’s more to my child sleeping well all night then getting him there in the first place. My belief is a child needs to have routine to fall asleep and then needs to feel loved and feel safe in order to sleep sweet.
In no particular order, here are my five tips to ensure your child feels loved when going to bed.
Tell them you love them.
Simple? Yes.
Are you?
As I lay with my littlest loves, I go down the list of everyone who loves them. From us to siblings to grandparents and teachers and friends and aunts. Okay, it’s simple and it only takes a minute or two. It’s super sweet when I forget a name and I get reminded of who else loves my little. We always finish by saying, “You are just so lovable!”
This little practice not only ensures my child knows he is loved when drifting to sleep; it sets his subconscious belief pattern to accept he is lovable.
How would you feel to know each and every day how loved you are by others?
See—I mean, really see—them!
Remember looking into your child’s eyes when they were first born? That instant and deep connection? Can you remember who blinked first or looked away?
In our fast-paced technology driven world, we’ve made it possible to connect without really seeing the other person. Holding a gaze with another person can easily make time tick-tock a little slower. Yet, eye contact can make a person feel important. Connected. Two entitles as one.
So snuggle up, ask for a seal kiss and look into your little’s eyes. I wonder who will look away first.