It's bedtime. You've gone through the night time routine. You've read stories, and snuggled. They're all tucked up in bed. You're about to turn out the lights, and then... they launch in to telling you there's something they're worried about, or something they're scared of, or something else that’s gone on that day.
Or do you have a tween or teen whose mind seems to shift to overdrive at bedtime? They’ve barely said two words through the day, and when you’re exhausted and about to head to bed yourself, they launch into conversation.
If this has happened to you, you're not alone!
If this has happened to you, you're not alone!
We really want to be there for our kids in these moments. We also really want them to get a good nights sleep!
So what can we do?
Empathy and connection are the keys.
It might seem like a ruse to stay up later, or frustrating because they didn’t take their opportunity to talk about it earlier, but actually this happens because at bedtime these thoughts and anxieties can become more prominent for them.
Understanding this helps us feel more empathy and compassion. Most of us have had our own experiences with busy minds and anxious thougths at bedtime!
Letting them know that we understand how they’re feeling, and that it’s ok that they’re feeling that way, will do wonders for helping them relax. They don’t necessarily need solutions, just a chance to express their thoughts and feelings, and to know that someone understands.
These can be really nice moments of connection where you share your own stories, or just let them know that you are always there for them, and that they are safe and loved no matter what.
Practical tips to support peaceful bedtimes for kids and teens
No matter what age your kids are, here are some ideas for supporting peaceful bedtimes:
* A calming routine - predictability is really comforting for our kids, and helps them feel secure, and consistency helps prime the brain for bedtime. It could also involve relaxing activities like a bath or shower, some reading, calm music, essential oils, or a bedtime journal.
* Relaxation techniques - breathing activities or mini meditations are a lovely way to calm their nervous system as they’re going to sleep. You can find breathing exercises in both the Grow Journal for Kids and the Grow Journal for Teens.
* A Worry Jar - have a jar near their bed where they can write down any worries or fears on some paper, and let go of them as they put them in the jar (older kids and teens might prefer a journal).
* A Gratitude Practice - practicing gratitude promotes positive thinking, reduces stress and anxiety, and helps kids feel calm and relaxed so it’s a great thing to pratice at bedtime.
Why is bedtime journaling so great for kids and teens?
Our Grow Journals feature easy, activity based journaling that incorporates a gratitude practice, mindfulness, and space for exploring feelings. They only take a few minutes to complete and are such a powerful way to end the day in a positive, calming way.
Your kids and teens will have the chance to process their day, let go of worries and fears, and focus on things that make them feel good, so they can drift of to sleep more peacefully.
Visit www.thegrowjournal.com to get your kids started with their own bedtime journal.
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