If you’re worrying about how to get your kids to sleep on Christmas Eve, you’re not alone. It’s a concern that crosses the minds of most parents a time or 100 during the run-up to the festive season, and there’s generally a fair amount of dread involved at the prospect. Having a plan may not be enough to guarantee your peace of mind, but it can increase the odds that both you and your little ones will get to spend at least a few hours of Christmas Eve enjoying some sweet dreams.
How to Get Your Kids to Sleep on Christmas Eve
Kids don’t want to miss a moment of holiday excitement. And as every parent knows, the more excited children get, the harder it is for them to settle down. That can make getting them tucked in and sleeping soundly in time for Santa to make his grand entrance pretty tricky. However, with a little planning, a bit of effort, a pinch of patience, a dash of holiday spirit, and these handy tips, you can encourage your kids to fall asleep on Christmas Eve and sleep soundly through the night.
Don’t Wait for Christmas Eve
Humans are creatures of habit, and healthy sleeping habits are important for your child’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. However, Christmas Eve is not the best time to instill a new habit. Instead, start earlier by creating a bedtime routine that works for your family. As SleepFoundation.org points out, a bedtime routine tells your child that it’s time to start settling down and preparing for sleep. Common activities include showering, putting on pajamas, brushing one’s teeth, or reading a book.
Then, it’s time to go to bed in a space that’s been optimized for sleeping. That means that there should be a good-quality mattress on the child’s bed so that they have a comfortable place to sleep. Temperatures should be comfortably cool, and lights should be turned off (except, perhaps, for a night light). Meanwhile, white noise should block out distracting sounds that might rouse sleepers. If kids are used to dropping off as soon as their heads hit the pillow, they’ll have an easier time resisting the urge to stay up and listen for reindeer hooves on the roof on Christmas Eve.
Plan a Busy Day
When Christmas Eve does roll around, prepare an active day. Staying busy will keep things fun and make it easier for little ones to fall asleep when bedtime comes.
Avoid Overtiring Your Child
There are plenty of things to do on Christmas Eve, but you don’t have to do them all. Instead of stressing about getting everything done, choose just the things that you’ll enjoy the most. Then, focus on having fun together. Does your child normally take a nap? Be sure to keep it on the schedule. Bedtime is often a struggle for overtired children.
Limit Sugar and Caffeine
Treats are part of the holiday fun, but too much sugar and caffeine near bedtime can have unpleasant consequences. Even adults can struggle to sleep after consuming them late in the day, so taking care to limit your child’s consumption is especially important.
Maintain Your Bedtime Routine
You put in the time to create a bedtime routine that worked for your child. Now, you get to reap the rewards. To do so, maintain your bedtime routine. If you’d like to put a holiday twist on things by donning special holiday pajamas, setting out cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer, using a Christmas carol to time your tooth brushing, or reading a favorite holiday story together before bed, that’s perfectly fine. As long as you keep things moving along calmly, and you don’t let the excitement level rise too high, you should be in good shape when it’s time to turn out the lights.
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