Have you been startled when a little hand pats your face in the middle of a deep sleep?

Does a loud crash of thunder send kids running to you in the night?

Kids of all ages are awake at night due to…

• Illness

• Nightmares

• Monsters

• Thunderstorms

• Excitement over the

  • Tooth fairy or Santa

  • First day back to school

• Teens out with friends, at dances or on dates

• Homework or testing

Here are some ideas to help your midnight parenting…

• Prepare a late-night SICK KID KIT to keep under your bed or in your closet that includes…

  • Your doctors after-hours number and location for care

  • Thermometer

  • Pain relief and other medicine as well as liquid dispensers

  • Paper cups for pills or “I need a drink of water”

  • Wipes

  • Container for vomit

  • A towel and washcloth

  • Extra sheets, pillow, and blanket (in case they need sheets changed or in case they will sleep on your bedroom floor)

  • Back up daycare information needed if you will have miss work the next day

• Keep these handy for frightened or worried kids…

  • Books about thunderstorms, monsters or a few favorite books (See items listed below the blog)

  • Nightlight

  • Monsters, Inc is a great movie if your child is scared of monsters.

  • A small flashlight to check for

    • Monsters,

    • Loud noises

    • Let the frightened child use it to read books with.

• Create a calm bedtime PLAN when excitement is high (Tooth fairy, Santa, First day of school etc…)

  • Get some physical exercise before dinner.

  • Enjoy a favorite dinner with dim lights or light music.

  • Have kids take a bath or shower before getting pajamas on.

  • Start bedtime early and leave time for a few extra books or chatting.

  • Try some yoga poses!

• Nightstand pad and paper. This one is good for parents and kids.

  • Write or draw about a problem that wakes you up so you can make a plan to solve it in the morning.

• Create a homework/study routine.

  • Double check that homework is complete and ready to go well before bedtime.

  • If homework worries are a regular problem, it may be time to set up a plan or routine to help kids feel on track.

  • Meet with the teacher if a student is struggling with difficult or too much homework each night.

• Have a PLAN for teens who will be out late. (This will help lower parent anxiety at night.)

  • Will they have a curfew?

  • Should they text you when they arrive at their destination?

  • Will you need any other parents’ phone numbers or information?

  • Will you be available if something goes wrong? (Not in a movie theater with your phone turned off, as I did once?)

  Now you can add some zzz’s your sleepless nights by…

• having some necessary gear prepared in your bedroom

• setting up night time plans and routines

  So…good night! Sleep tight, and don’t let the bedbugs bite!