Helping Your Child Deal With Anxiety at Bedtime
Bedtime can be a stressful time for parents when trying to put children to bed, but what if this anxiety isn’t going away? What if it’s coming from the child instead? Anxiety in children many times can show up in the form of difficulty sleeping or lack of sleep, which can make the situation worse. As a parent, it’s important to understand how to help your child with their anxiety when it appears at bedtime.
For parents of young children in particular, it can be hard to know how to help your child deal with this kind of fear or apprehension. The good news is that there are several tips and tricks to be aware of that can help your child feel easier when they’re going to bed. Learning how to successfully tackle the issue of anxiety can lead to a much better night’s sleep for both you and your child.
It’s up to parents to be prepared in order to properly help their children deal with the fear they may feel during bedtime. Here are some tips on how to best handle your child’s anxiety at bedtime so you both can turn in for the night.
Support Your Child
The most important thing you can do for your child is be there to offer your support. You want them to know that you’re there to help them in any way that you can. Take some time to talk to your child before heading to bed. Ask them if there’s anything that is bothering them or if they need help with anything they are worried about. Having a supportive and reassuring adult in the room can be a great way to help them feel more secure.
Create a Calming Bedtime Routine
Creating a calming routine before bedtime can help your child relax. Make an effort to turn off any electronics or distractions an hour before bedtime so that their minds can slow down and become less active. You are also encouraged to spend some time reading a cozy book and cuddle as part of your family’s routine. This can be an effective way to communicate your love and focus your child’s attention away from their worries towards a peaceful activity.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
If your child is feeling particularly overwhelmed with fear or anxiety, helping them with relaxation techniques can be beneficial to calming them down. Take some time to practice deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation or visualization techniques with them. Suggesting that they imagine being in a comfy and peaceful place or that they think of the feeling of relaxation can be calming.
Limit Stimulus Before Bedtime
A lot of the time, kids experience a lot of anxiety around bedtime due to having too much stimulus before sleep. This means that they may not have had enough time to decelerate and wind down properly. Be mindful of not overstimulating your child before they fall asleep. Don’t let them watch TV, play video games or look at their phones right before bed. Having too much screen time can lead to difficulty in getting to sleep.
- Be supportive and reassuring
- Create a calming bedtime routine
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Limit stimulus before bedtime
Conclusion
Helping your child deal with anxiety at bedtime is an important part of parenting. It can be difficult to know how to handle the situation at first, but with these tips, you’ll be able to provide the calming presence they need while helping them to work through their anxieties. Dealing with anxiety is hard for both the children and the parents but having a plan of action and being consistent can make a difference.