Want Daughters to Go to Bed Early

Updated on December 15, 2012
A.B. asks from Albuquerque, NM
5 answers

Hi moms,
So, I have 7 kids, ages 12, 11, 8, 5, 6 months, and twins who are 4 days. (My 6 month y/o is adopted.) My 11 year old daughter, my 8 year old daughter, and my 5 year old daughter are all in a dance show on Saturday. I want them to get plenty of rest tomorrow night, sp they will be nice and well rested for the show. Ever since I brought home the twins from the hospital on Tuesday, they have been up late at night, and in the middle of the night, crying, and I am pretty sure that all of my kids are waking up whenever they do, so I would like it, and I bet they would appreciate it, if they could have a peaceful night on friday. They have to be at a christmas pageant practice at our church at 8 a.m. so they need to get up early. They also have a dress rehearsel the night before, which could last until 8:30 or so.

Any ideas of how I can make sure they get plenty of sleep, and are well rested would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
-A.
Mom of 7

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Truthfully they aren't going to sleep well at all. They are going to be so excited that they will run on adrenalin all day AND all night.

The best thing you can do is provide an environment that is restful and peaceful. Put a CD on with peaceful ocean surf, a classical CD of wordless hymns (piano or organ only), anything that will have a steady beat in the music 60 beats per minute or less.

This calms the heart so it will match the beat and kids tend to subconsciously pick that up and just slow down and start producing Melatonin and they fall asleep faster and it will last longer if it continues to play.

We played all sorts of stress management music the whole nap time in child care. We never made it totally quiet, the kids would wake up across the board, one by one almost as soon as the last one was asleep. They would be so tired and irritable.

You can check out the CD's at the local music store or find this type of CD in the infant department of Walmart or the music department.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.O.

answers from Detroit on

We have a LOUD humidifier in each kid's bedroom. And in the summer a LOUD air purifier. The doors stay shut. The kids hear almost nothing.

We're adding #5 and I wonder how YOU get any sleep with those ages. Good luck and blessings!

I always keep newborns as far away from the other rooms as possible (which is in our bedroom for our layout, and they stay in an Arm's Reach co-sleeper until 6 to 9 months, which is next to my bed).

2 moms found this helpful

J.O.

answers from Boise on

As the other ladies have suggested or even a radio playing some soft music. The kids will eventually get used to the noise.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Huntsville on

Sound machine?

Have you ever tried giving them melatonin an hour before you want them to sleep? It helps calm my daughter.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.H.

answers from Boston on

This is what I would do...I would give my children a nice light dinner like a salad with chicken the night I want them to go to bed early. An hour before I want them to go to bed I would set mood lighting (turn down or off the lights) in the house. I would read them a book and give them a bath (or shower) and then give them a massage with lotion. Put them to bed with hugs and kisses and another quick book. They will feel sleepy and happy.

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