• Knowledgebase: Parenting Questions

    Questions about the managment of common parenting problems such as discipline.

    11. How to put your child to bed without a fight? - Top

    Q. How to put your child to bed without a fight?

    A. This can be a very tough problem especially in the 2 1/2 to 4 year old age group. The general recommendation is to set a bedtime and create a regular ritual or routine prior to bedtime. This works sometimes but not always.

    Rule # 1 - You can lead a child to bed but you cannot make them sleep.

    Rule # 2 - Parents deserve some private adult time prior to total exhaustion. With this in mind, I recommend netting a bedtime at an early age and require the children to honor it by staying in their room (even if not asleep). The tough part comes with a strong-willed child who can push you to extremes but remember, you only created the bedtime rule, their actions created the need for any firm measures.
    - Updated: March 23, 2001

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP