How to Keep your Kids in Bed at Night

We love are kids, but bedtime is always a struggle for many parents who just can't keep their kids from wanting one more story, one more hug, and just one more glass of water. To keep them in bed... give them permission to get up.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 2 Popsicle sticks
• 2 Decorations

1. Pick out a decoration that your kid loves. It might be silk flowers for a girl, or a cutout of a super hero for a little boy.
2. Glue your decorations to the popsicle sticks.
3. Tell your child that they can call you into the room for water, hugs, or whatever, but you will take one of their "bedtime (flowers, heroes, whatever)" when you do.
4. Follow through. Let them call you in twice, taking a decoration each time, and refuse to come after that.
5. Repeat each night, giving them their decorations before bed.
6. Let your child get used to this arrangement. Eventually they will want to keep their decorations more than they will want that last drink of water.

Tips & Warnings

• Let your child pick out their bedtime popsicle decoration to be sure that they will be attached to it.
• Do not give in - once their two chances are gone, they are gone.