So lately, getting my kiddos to bed has turned into this nightly showdown. They used to drift off pretty easily, but now it feels like a tug-of-war every single evening. I've tried calming routines, reading stories, and even cutting screen time earlier, but the resistance is real. Some nights, it stretches on for over an hour, and by the end, I’m just drained.

It’s tough because I want bedtime to be this peaceful, cozy moment, not a stressful fight. I’m wondering if this is just a phase or if I’m missing something. Has anyone else gone through this? What little tricks or routines helped your family slide into sleep more smoothly? Would love to hear any advice or even just commiserate!

On 11/29/2025 at 12:05 PM, SunnySideSue said:

So lately, getting my kiddos to bed has turned into this nightly showdown. They used to drift off pretty easily, but now it feels like a tug-of-war every single evening. I've tried calming routines, reading stories, and even cutting screen time earlier, but the resistance is real. Some nights, it stretches on for over an hour, and by the end, I’m just drained.

It’s tough because I want bedtime to be this peaceful, cozy moment, not a stressful fight. I’m wondering if this is just a phase or if I’m missing something. Has anyone else gone through this? What little tricks or routines helped your family slide into sleep more smoothly? Would love to hear any advice or even just commiserate!

Oh, the bedtime battles are so real—I’ve definitely been there! Sometimes, it’s less about the routine itself and more about how much control the kids feel they have. One thing that helped me was giving my little ones a tiny choice, like picking which pajamas to wear or which book to read. It sounds small, but it seemed to ease the tug-of-war because they felt involved rather than just told what to do.

Also, I found that adding a “quiet time” before the official bedtime helped—a half hour of dim lights, soft music, or even just lying down together without the pressure of sleeping right away. It’s not a quick fix, but it slowly shifted the vibe from a battle to a calm wind-down. Hang in there; these phases can be exhausting but usually do pass!

That sounds really exhausting, Sue. Bedtime battles can sneak up on you just when you think you’ve got a groove going. Sometimes kids push boundaries more as they grow, testing limits or just needing a bit more control over their own schedule. Have you tried giving them a small choice within the routine, like picking which pajamas to wear or which book to read? It can help them feel involved rather than resisted.

Also, I found that a consistent "wind-down" activity that’s low-key but different from the usual story—like soft music or a gentle massage—can signal it’s really time to settle in. It’s not foolproof, but it helped my little one shift gears without a fight. Hang in there; these phases usually do pass, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.

That sounds incredibly exhausting, and honestly, I’ve been there too. Sometimes kids push back at bedtime because they’re not quite ready to stop the day or they’re testing boundaries. One thing that helped me was introducing a “quiet play” period before the official bedtime routine—something low-key but not quite sleep, like puzzles or soft music, so the transition felt less abrupt.

Also, I found that involving the kids in setting the bedtime routine gave them a bit more control, which surprisingly reduced the resistance. Like letting them pick the story or choose their pajamas. It doesn’t fix everything overnight, but it made the nightly tug-of-war a little less intense. Hang in there—you’re not alone in this!

@arkane, I totally get what you mean about that pushback being a mix of not wanting the day to end and boundary testing. The "quiet play" idea sounds like a gentle way to ease into bedtime without it feeling like a hard stop. I’ve tried something similar with dimming the lights and letting my kiddo play with soft toys or look through picture books, and it definitely cuts down on the resistance.

Also, I noticed @PennyPincher123 mentioned calming routines and cutting screen time early - those helped me too, but only when combined with that slow wind-down phase. It’s like giving them permission to chill out rather than just telling them to stop. Sometimes it’s about making bedtime feel like a cozy choice, not a fight.

On 11/29/2025 at 12:05 PM, SunnySideSue said:

So lately, getting my kiddos to bed has turned into this nightly showdown. They used to drift off pretty easily, but now it feels like a tug-of-war every single evening. I've tried calming routines, reading stories, and even cutting screen time earlier, but the resistance is real. Some nights, it stretches on for over an hour, and by the end, I’m just drained.

It’s tough because I want bedtime to be this peaceful, cozy moment, not a stressful fight. I’m wondering if this is just a phase or if I’m missing something. Has anyone else gone through this? What little tricks or routines helped your family slide into sleep more smoothly? Would love to hear any advice or even just commiserate!

Oh, I totally feel you on the bedtime battles! It’s like they suddenly discover a second wind right when you’re ready to call it a day. One thing that helped us was introducing a "quiet play" period before the official bedtime routine - something low-key but still a little fun, like puzzles or soft music. It seemed to ease the transition from active to calm without feeling like a strict stop.

Also, sometimes kids push back because they’re craving a bit more connection or attention before the day ends. Maybe sneaking in an extra cuddle or a little chat about their day could help them feel settled and less resistant. It’s exhausting, but you’re definitely not alone in this!