15/05/2026
A calm bedtime routine starts before you even get to the bedroom.
If bedtime feels chaotic, silly, or full of messing, it might be worth looking at what happens in the hour or two beforehand.
Weather permitting, a walk, scoot or cycle outside 60 to 90 minutes before bedtime can be a brilliant way for children to burn off the day’s energy and get a change of scenery before winding down.
Then move into the predictable bedtime steps:
🛁 Bath or shower to help calm things down
🪥 Brush teeth
🧼 Wash hands and face
📚 Bedtime story
💤 Lights out
Night-time rituals are so important. They give children predictability, help them feel secure, and also tick off the hygiene necessities without it becoming a nightly battle.
In our house, I always let my boys pick one story each. It gives them a little bit of control, while keeping the routine consistent.
It’s also worth checking whether your bedtime expectations are realistic.
For example, expecting a 6-year-old to sleep for 12 hours overnight may not always be realistic. Sometimes a slightly later bedtime can reduce messing, bedtime battles and repeated call-backs, because your child is actually ready to settle.
A calm bedtime is not about making the routine longer.
It’s about making it predictable, age-appropriate and realistic.
If bedtime has become a battle in your house, small tweaks to timing and routine can make a big difference.
Need help your child’s bedtime? DM me xx
