Or perhaps more accurately..... A Better Bedtime Routine with the 3 A’s: Attention, Affection, Affirmation ...
As the evenings get longer and lighter, you might find getting your children to sleep is becoming increasingly difficult.
Many parents know the benefits of having a good bedtime routine. A warm bath, drink, and bedtime story are all key components to a good bedtime routine. On top of these evening activities, I would like to share with you 3 tips that you might find useful in helping your child enjoy going to bed.
Every child needs Attention, Affection and Affirmation. If you are able to give these in abundance to your child, not only will they be able to relax and feel secure at night, but will have priceless tools that will help them grow up with self awareness and self worth.
Attention
Every human being craves attention. If a child does not have positive attention, he will go out of his way to get negative attention. Children want to be noticed, heard and listened to. You may like to set aside time to listen to what they have to say. Listening to their worries and problems will help them relax and feel safe and secure. The more undivided attention a parent is able to give a child, the better. Let your child read to you, share their day and their dreams with you. Your child will feel special, loved and worthy.
Affection
Along with attention, every child desperately needs affection. When a child receives affection from a parent, they feel completely loved and protected and safe. Night-time worries and nightmares may reduce with continuous love and affection. Long cuddles and embraces as well as forehead and hand stroking will help your child feel safe and cherished. A nightly shoulder or back rub is also a wonderful activity to increase the strong bond between parent and child.
Affirmation
Children also need to know that they are respected, valuable and appreciated. A continuous flow of praise and positive affirmation will help your child feel treasured. Affirmations raise a child’s self esteem and make them feel positive and worthy. You may like to make a list of all the things your child is good at, or repeat an affirmation every night such as ‘You are special / loved / precious / amazing / wonderful.’ Making a small book for your child and each day filling it with their qualities and the things that make them unique, will be something that they treasure for many years to come.
Once your child has been listened to, held, and given lots of positive affirmation, they will be ready to sink into the land of dreams easily and naturally.
© Marneta Viegas of Relax Kids
June 2008
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