Home » Partners & Parents » Babysitting » Getting Your Charges To Bed

Getting Your Charges To Bed

© Colleen Bittner

Putting the children you are sitting for to bed can be one of the most challenging responsibilities of a babysitter. Some children will go to sleep easily, and if you happen to get one of those children, congratulations. But If you are taking care of a child who screams, kicks, stall, cries, or outright refuses to go to bed, here are some things you can do to help bedtime go smoother.

Find out the child's bedtime routine. Many children do the exact same routine every night. They get in their pajamas, brush their teeth, read a book, wash their face, and then get in bed. Or something similar to that routine. What ever their routine is, be sure to follow it as closely as possible. This makes the child feel more secure, and sticking to the routine keeps the child calm.

Ask the parents ahead of time what, if anything the child sleeps with. When bedtime rolls around and the little boy you are taking care of wants his "Freddie" and you have no clue that "Freddie" is actually his blue hot wheel you will wish you had asked his parents. Or that you were psychic, but asking the parents is easier. Quite often the child will not go to sleep without his or her toy, and knowing in advance will save tears and nerves.

Warn the children. With some children this works well. Others, it only sparks a longer stream of tears. Two hours before bed tell them that they have got two hours. At one hour until bed, tell them that they have one hour. Tell them again at ½ hour, 15 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, and then at 2 minutes. This way the children slowly gear up to go to bed. Depending on how long the bedtime routine might take, begin the routine that many minutes before bedtime. This way the children will be in bed right when they are supposed to be.

Every child is different, so try these and find out what works and what doesn't. Once you know what does work, you are set for bed!