Lakeville Moms Talk Q&A: Bedtime Tips

Moms Talk is a new feature on Lakeville Patch that is part of a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to moms and families.

Patch invites you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in Lakeville.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Lakeville Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

Moms Talk will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topic. Do you know of local moms raising their children in the Tiger Mother's way and is it the best way? Where can we get information on local flu shot clinics for children? How do we talk to our children about the Tucson shootings? How can we help our children's schools weather their budget cutbacks?

So, grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation today with a question:

What tips do you have for making bedtime peaceful (and successful) at different ages?

Janet, mom to four girls ages 12, 10, 7 and 10 months: We have always had a very 'routine' household. Our kids have the same routine they've had since they were babies. We do a bath, then snack and either video or books, and then teeth & bed. They all know the routine and don't fight it. We are pretty rigid about bedtime around here. The baby right now does bottle and bedtime, so her routine is a bit different. She also goes to bed about half an hour to an hour earlier than the other girls. And, if the older girls have activities into the evening, that will delay bedtime too. But everyone pretty much sticks to the routine. So, my theme is ROUTINE, ROUTINE, ROUTINE!

Nicole, mom to a 14 year-old-girl and 12-year-old boy: It was suggested by my Sister in Law that when I brought the babies home from the hospital to start them on a bed time routine from day one.  Even though I had a colicky baby (my first born- not fun), I took her advice.  Every night at 8pm, we went into her room, put on the Kenny Loggins "Winnie the Pooh" CD, sat in the rocker and to bed she went.  We did this day in and day out for a couple of months and before you knew it, 8pm she was out.  I did the same with my son and I tell ya they are 14 and 12 and at 8pm they start yawning (of course they insist that they aren't tired)

Tonia, mom to three children ages 7, 6 and 2: My kids are pretty routine. We all head up at about 8pm. Jammies, brush teeth, go potty and into their rooms they go. We then tuck them in and say prayers and give our hugs & kisses. The boys (6 & 7) have a night light, but the 2 year old sleeps in complete darkness, but has a “noise machine” that provides white noise. We generally have a pretty peaceful house after that. I think giving your kids warning that bedtime is coming is also helpful. We also try to not let them get all hyped up before bed. We like the last activities of the night to be calmer, quieter things.

We'd love to hear what you have to say as well, so make sure to post your thoughts in the comment section below.

The above answers were provided by members of the Lakeville Moms Council. Members include mothers of toddlers to teens: Nicole Bella Remini-Wiskow, Janet Quick, Tonia Johnson, Pamela Zidarich and Charla Zappetillo. The Lakeville Moms Council meets monthly to discuss issues related to raising kids locally. For more information, email derrick.williams@patch.com.