Tag Archives: bedtime

Toys in Bed

I was talking with a friend, a first-time parent who has a preschooler and she was lamenting about the most recent troublesome development–now that her child is in a “big boy bed”–he is bringing all sorts of his toys into bed with him and falling asleep amidst the big pile. She is concerned it is not only a health and safety concern, but that he is developing bad habits. I hated to seem like that saucy and crusty old mother who couldn’t be fazed, but I have a nearly 18-year-old who STILL likes to have all her books, papers, and … Continue reading →

Back to School Sleep Routine

Summer breaks are great for the kids but when they return to school, some kids have a hard time getting back into a regular sleep routine. Afterall, most parents relax the bedtime rules during summer break. Tyler is still in his summer sleep routine because he’s still home with me until we move back to New Orleans. I have been trying like mad to get him back into an 8/8:30 bedtime but most nights, he plays around until 10 or 11. This means he wakes up later and of course, he’s not sleepy when his bed time roles around. I … Continue reading →

The 108th Sheep – Ayano Imai

Emma is having a very hard time going to sleep. She’s tried everything. She’s had a nice glass of warm milk. She’s even read a whole stack of books (a girl after my own heart) but the exciting stories only made her feel more awake. Finally, she has an idea – she’ll count sheep. That should do the trick. But Emma’s counting doesn’t seem to work, either. When she reaches one hundred, she is still awake. So she keeps counting – but when she reaches one hundred and eight, the 108th sheep doesn’t appear. Instead, she feels a bump, and … Continue reading →

Dr. Seuss Series: The Sleep Book

“The Sleep Book,” published in 1962, is one of my favorites by the world-famous Dr. Seuss. The purpose of the book is to make the young listener sleepy, and it’s done in a clever and creative way, of course in Dr. Seuss style. It even comes with a warning that it should be read in bed. We begin by learning that a very small bug named Van Vleck is yawing so widely, you can see down his neck. We all know that yawns are contagious, so soon, all of Van Vleck’s friends are yawning too, which spreads from creature to … Continue reading →

Monsters Are Afraid of the Moon – Marjane Satrapi

One of the biggest challenges of raising children is getting them to go to bed at night, and among the many things that interfere with this process is the natural fear of monsters. “Monsters Are Afraid of the Moon” is a great children’s picture book to help overcome that concern. Marie was your average little girl. She had a cherry tree in her yard and she loved to climb up and eat her fill. She enjoyed playing with her cat and drawing pictures of bunnies. During the day, everything in Marie’s life was normal. But that was during the day. … Continue reading →

Mr. Meow’s Bed Boycott: Finally Over!

Not Mr. Meow…I just liked this picture. It’s over. It’s done. Mr. Meow is back. The Great Cat Rehabilitation Project neared completion at the end of last month. Earlier this month there was even further progress when Mr. Meow not only dared to come upstairs again but resumed shower buddy time with me. There was only one thing left he needed to do to let me know all was copasetic in the Team Pryor household again: snuggle buggle bedtime. This past Sunday night saw that happen. Wayne and I were settled in, lights off, and I was watching something on … Continue reading →

Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones – Claire Freedman

I’m a sucker for jungle animals, especially baby ones, and most particularly, furry ones. “Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones” is right up my alley. We begin with Mama Lion, gathering in her babies and getting them ready for bed with a thorough cleaning. It’s not just humans who have to take bedtime baths – these cubs will be sparkling clean by the time their mother gets through with them. It’s sunset and time for sleep. Mama Hippo gives her baby a hug, and then a ride on her back to the swamp where they will settle down in the cool, refreshing … Continue reading →

Sleepy Bears – Mem Fox

Bedtime is a universal challenge. No wonder, then, that so many children’s books have been devoted to the very mysterious topic – how do we get the children to go to bed? “Sleepy Bears” by Mem Fox is another cute story book to add to your arsenal. Mother Bear has six adorable little cubs, and winter is coming. She needs to get them all gathered in to go to bed. She promises that if they’ll come inside and get ready for bed, without arguing, she’ll tell each of them a rhyme just for them. Baxter Bear was first. With a … Continue reading →

Tiger Can’t Sleep – S. J. Fore

I did it! I found another adorable children’s picture book with great illustrations and clever text. This one is called “Tiger Can’t Sleep.” The tiger in this book is just too cute for words. Our main character is a little boy who’s getting all ready for bed, snuggled down under the covers. However, his blissful slumber is disturbed because there’s a tiger in his closet, and that tiger is eating potato chips and keeping the little boy awake with all the crunch, crunch, crunching. So he asks the tiger to be quiet. The tiger pulls out a whisk broom, cleans … Continue reading →

Wake Up Me! and Sleepy Me! by Marni McGee

I’ve often heard child psychologists mention that the transition between sleep and wakefulness, and then from play to bedtime, can be difficult for children, and parents can help ease that transition for their children. When I found these cute picture books, I thought they would be just right for helping to create the right tone for your child on either end of the sleep spectrum. “Wake Up, Me!” eases the child into a state of alertness after sleep. The text is simple – “Wake up, ears. Wake up, eyes.” The child says “wake up” to his body, and then to … Continue reading →