3 Simple Ways to Bring More Mindfulness to Your Kids Bedtime Routine
Kids thrive on routines. From breakfast to bedtime, children like to know what’s going on. That’s why you’ll notice they even ask for the same shows over and over again. (Right now in our house it’s Curious George Christmas.)
Among all the routines, the bedtime routine is probably the most talked about in the parenting world. It’s a way for children to “wind down” before bed, and typically includes a mix of tubby time, lullabies/songs, books and good night kisses.
The other night, my 4-year-old daughter was a little worked up before bed — moody, whiny way overtired and on the verge of a meltdown, and all of our usual bedtime tricks simply weren’t cutting it.
Here are 3 simple steps we took to help calm her body and mind — infusing more mindfulness to her bedtime routine.
3 Mindful Bedtime Tips for Children
Breathing: As Danielle Tiger always says, “When you feel so mad that you want to roar, take a deep breath and count to four.” Deep breathing is a wonderful way to help regulate our emotions.
However, sometimes when I encourage my kids to take a deep breath I am met with resistance. Before bed rather than telling my opinionated 4-year-old to breathe, I like to show her. My go-to is a big mama bear hug (where we then breathe together). If you’re calm, it can help the child feel calm and protected — and I notice it tends to regulate their breathing too.
Happy Thoughts: Before bed, I love to ask my daughter to think about something that makes her feel happy. Last night it was her family, and so I encouraged her to have sweet dreams about her family.
This can help shift their mindset toward something positive (and away from their meltdown). It can also be helpful for kiddos who tend to be afraid of the dark or worried about bad dreams, as they can go to bed thinking about something that makes them smile.
Positive Affirmations: On that note, I love incorporating positive affirmations with littles. A simple repeat-after-me works really well for bedtime. You could do something like: I am Kind, I am Smart, I am Beautiful, I am Silly, I am________ (your child’s name).
These Positive Affirmation Wall Prints I created are also a lovely addition to a girl’s room. You can choose from three different rhyming affirmation prints: I Am Grateful, I Am Adventurous and I Am Creative. Purchase here on Etsy!
