How to Get Kids to Stay in Bed
Bedtime often comes with a headache and a wave of nausea for parents. Visions of temper tantrums and creeping-feet-out-of-bed-for-the-15th-time haunt us senseless. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Bedtime can be an enjoyable time in your home. How to get your kids to stay in bed will teach you how you can get them to do that and not go nuts.
Before I offer you troubleshooting for those nightmares, I must mention that a good routine is key. If you work on this consistently, you will see a return! Children are comfortable with a routine, and once they know it’s in place, they are much less likely to challenge it.
A Good Routine for Getting Kids to Stay in Bed
- A good bedtime routine is loose and not bound to a set list: reading, singing, rocking, etc. That way it can be changed if time is short and a babysitter can put them to bed without a fuss. If a child CANNOT go to bed without a story, he/she is set up for disaster. Stories are great, just make sure it’s not mandatory. In my home, we don’t usually have a story at bedtime. We read together all day!
- The time for bed should be a consistent window of time. For example, my 8-, 7-, and 5-year-old go to bed around 8:30 pm. Anytime between 8:00 and 9:00 is fair, but 10 pm is not.
- Arrange for your child to get 10-12 hours of sleep every night. That’s what pediatricians recommend, and, no, your child isn’t the only one in the world who just doesn’t need that much sleep. Remember: lost sleep makes it harder to sleep. Don’t sacrifice a nap hoping for better nighttime sleep … it will backfire. An overtired child makes everyone miserable.
- Have a wind-down time. No later than 8:00 pm, my kids are in their rooms and in their beds. I let the older children read with a book light. This is great for children who share rooms. As long as they are reading, I allow them to stay up a bit longer, and the book light keeps the others from being disturbed. By the time lights go out, they are settled. Plus, you get the added benefit of enhancing their reading skills.
- Wind down with audiobooks or music. My mother-in-law first suggested this to me as it worked so well for her kids. When falling asleep, I sometimes play a Patch the Pirate CD or a classical music CD. Click here for some of our favorite audiobooks.
- Have high expectations for bedtime. I expect my kids to go to bed when I tell them to. Crazy thought, huh? As a parent, teaching the importance of obedience is a common theme around here. If things aren’t going the way they should, we work on changing the behavior, but I don’t give up and let the child decide what is best.
- Be mindful of chocolate, sugar, and caffeine consumed after 3 pm. They really do make a difference!
Our bedtime habits started when my kids were very young.
I am sensitive to the fact that most people reading this post are trying to correct bad habits, but I can’t talk about good bedtime habits without at least mentioning that I put in years of hard work at the beginning. Sleep was one thing that I wanted my kids to be very good at, so I concentrated much effort on training them to enjoy sleeping. I don’t regret that. No one in my family dreads bedtime or throws fits. Even my 2-year-old is generally very compliant on his own. I promise you, this is largely because of the training that I have done with them as infants/toddlers.
So how do you get kids to stay in bed?
For some parents, getting kids to STAY in bed is the biggest challenge. I can’t give you a magic pill, and no two children are alike, so you are going to need to experiment with what works for you. For me, it starts with consistent training as infants/toddlers and then a little troubleshooting when things aren’t working as they should.
Start with troubleshooting: Is there something bothering your child? Is a sibling instigating a bedtime “party”? Talk to them about why they keep getting out of bed and really listen for answers. Our kids need us, and sometimes the quiet of the evening is the best time to talk about things. Always solve these issues first BEFORE you make this an obedience thing. When my boys continued to pester one another at bedtime, an easy solution was to keep their door open. Knowing I could hear everything they did encouraged them to stay in their beds.
Make their sleep space special: Making their own sleep space a bit special can encourage them to stay put. Bed tents and curtains have been a great solution for us. The kids all love being enclosed in their space. It blocks out noise and extra light. It’s a beautiful thing. The kids on the top bunks have bed tents, and the bottom children have curtains.
Consequences: If my kids get out of bed, they are taking away my time to work. So, I naturally must get that time back the next night, which means that I have them go to bed 15 minutes earlier the next night. This is really the only tool I need with my 8-, 7-, and 5-year-old. I explain this consequence to them exactly like I just did for you. They understand my need and actually are fairly respectful of it.
Rewards: My personal parenting policy is never to reward a child who is doing that which is expected with goods like toys and food. But I do reward with lots of verbal praise. It’s always good to praise a little more than they actually do, speaking promise into their little hearts. Of course, your kids aren’t perfectly doing this every night, but praise for wins sure compels them to keep trying! (P.S. don’t praise as a way of shaming another child who isn’t doing as well. There is no place for that in parenting!)
Train them: If you’ve got a little guy who is still learning, be ready to take the time needed to train them. Sit outside the bedroom door with a book or your computer until he falls asleep. If the tot gets out of bed, say, “It’s nighttime. Get back in bed.” If he does it again, say nothing—just point. Pick him up and carry him back to bed if you need to. Continue to monitor until the behavior stops. If you are consistent, it will only take a few nights for him to get the message.
Leave them in the crib until they are 40: Alright, I might be exaggerating a tad here, but seriously most parents take their child out of the crib far too soon. Leave them in there as long as possible. Even if he/she can climb out … this is a good time to train them NOT to. It is my policy to leave them in the crib until they potty train. Currently, my 2.5-year-old is still in the crib. He can climb in and out on his own, but I have trained him to wait until I allow him to do so. The transition to a bed will be much easier this way.
No lie: while I was typing this post, my three big kids all got out of bed. It’s funny how God likes to keep me humble, and it reminds me to tell you that you are a good mom (or dad). Please don’t buy the lie that you aren’t. Kids are going to disobey, even when they generally have a particular skill mastered. Don’t be discouraged! You will have plenty of nights with little children all nestled in bed.
Still looking for practical tips on how to get kids to stay in bed? I’ve polled my readers for a few ideas.
Tips from my readers on getting kids to stay in bed:
Clip lights and book slings … if they are in their bed at bedtime, they can have 15-30 minutes to read, look at books, draw, etc. Then we come around and say prayers with them. (Suzanne)
Wear them out! (Laura)
We made their beds inviting and a true place of peace and rest, and we’ve provided night lights and cracked doors when they’ve wanted them. None of ours have ever wanted to get out of their beds. Ever! I feel that is the grace of God! We need more of that grace in other areas, though, such as getting the kids to eat vegetables. (Frances)
They know if they act out their bedtime will move up 15-30 minutes the next night. (Christy)
One thing that really helps is having kids that are actually tired. Sounds silly, right? I have found that so many kids do not get enough physical activity and are really not tired so they are up and down. I try to shoot for about 2 hours of outside playtime on most days. Makes a world of difference! (Amy)
We let them listen to great audiobooks. (Jane)
We give them a dime for every night they do a good job. (Debbie)
When my daughter was younger, I’d give her “get out of bed” tokens. She could use a token to get up to get a drink or go to the bathroom, whatever, but once they’re gone, she’s done and has to stay in bed. (Kelley)
Have kids share a room. (Jen)
Cozy ambiance in their bedroom, reading books, air filter white noise, and low background native music. I sometimes fall asleep there too. Zzzzzzzz! (Mari)
Being consistent and making sure they know they HAVE to stay there! (Heather)
Get more tips here —→ How to help kids obey
Got questions or other tips on how to get kids to stay in bed? Leave a comment and join in the discussion!
A Resource to Teach Obedience
Getting kids to stay in bed isn’t the only thing we want our kids to be obedient in. We want them to want to be obedient in all the things we’re teaching them. If you’d like to teach your kids the WHY and HOW behind obedience, check out Obey—a four-week Bible study for kids!
The Obey Bible Study is part of our Relationship Series, designed to teach your kids Biblical principles for developing and strengthening Christian relationships. Each bundle box contains five age-appropriate Bible studies: Obey, My Brother’s Keeper, Making Peace, Becoming a Servant, and Navigating Friendships— plus, some fun bonus items!
MORE POSTS ABOUT OBEDIENCE
- How to Think of Better Punishments for Kids (especially when you’re mad)
- Is Kids Time Out Effective
- 5 Tips for Your Disobedient Child
- Pointing a Rebellious Child to God
- Teaching Your Child the Importance of Obedience
- How to Get Kids to Listen
- How to Teach Your Kids to Stop Interrupting
- When Your Child Embarrasses You in Public
- 3 Christian Discipline Questions to Ask Your Kids
- How to Limit Screen Time and Get Your Kids to Obey
Through practical tools & Bible-based resources, Kim Sorgius is dedicated to helping your family GROW in faith so you can be Not Consumed by life’s struggles. Author of popular kid’s devotional Bible studies and practical homeschooling tools, Kim has a master’s degree in education and curriculum design coupled with over 2 decades of experience working with kids and teens. Above all, her most treasured job is mother and homeschool teacher of four amazing kiddos.
I have just found your website while searching for answers on how to help my 3 year old at bedtime. We have a pretty consistent bedtime routine. I always start winding down with her and her 1 year old brother by playing with them in their room, then they put on pajamas and brush teeth, sometimes we read a book, baby brother goes into the crib, and then she gets to watch a TV show in mom & dad’s bed, then I put her to bed. We do this every night. She knows that after the show its time for bed. I never let her watch more than 1, and we never do anything else afterward. I take her to her room, we say a prayer, I sing her 3 songs, and I leave. Lately, she throws an enormous fit when I walk out of the room, screaming and crying, wanting more songs, more prayers, more hugs, more kisses, more everything. Obviously this is very frustrating – but the even more frustrating part is that she shares a room with my son and often wakes him up when she starts screaming at the top of her lungs. I literally do not know what to do. I have tried many times to just walk out and leave her – if i don’t tell her that getting out of bed will earn her a consequence, she will get out over and over. Otherwise, she sometimes will scream for an hour. I have tried prizes of fun breakfast foods in the morning if she goes to bed with no fits – which worked for awhile but really isn’t any longer, and I don’t like the idea of having to offer a prize to get her to obey. Please help!!
I don’t bribe with prizes because they only work in the short term. My suggestion would be to stay consistent (both at bedtime and not at bedtime). Tell her what is expected and don’t give in! Have you read my toddlers post? That might help, too.
Some people have testimonies of turning off all electronics one hour before bed. Electronics can overstimulate a child and wind them up with all the lights and noises. Having 1 hr of down time from electronics before bed have helped several parents. I encourage you to give it a try, No TV before bed.
One thing that helped us in this situation was a rewards chart. If my daughter went to sleep quietly, she got a star on the chart the next morning. A certain number of stars added up to a special treat like an ice cream or a special movie.
I agree that watching tv before bed can be overstimulating. Instead, give her a bath or read an extra long time with her.
The other suggestion is to say something like “I will leave the door open a bit and leave the hall light on if you are quiet. Otherwise I have to shut the door” You could also offer to sit outside her door if she’s quiet. She doesn’t have to be able to see you, but just knowing you’re there could help a lot.
I think some parents are too soft, just be consistent & stick to your guns, take a reward off her if she plays up like no TV the next night, they have to learn to be obedient, this has worked for my 3 kids
We have been able to successfully train our children to stay in bed by being consistent and letting them know what we expect.
I can fully attest to making sure that they get enough sleep, 10-12 hours, because when my daughter was about 2 we allowed her to stay up until 9 when she showed signs of being tired. She wasn’t napping anymore but often we would experience meltdowns during the day. After we moved up her bedtime to 8 and finally to 7:30 she was always pleasant and we rarely experienced meltdowns.
She is now 5 and she goes to bed by 8… if she doesn’t go to bed good then she knows that the following night she’ll be going to bed 15 minutes earlier. “Oh you must be so tired because you are being super cranky. Tomorrow you can go to bed early so that you get enough sleep and won’t be so grumpy.”
Yes. Consistency is key!
How do you train them as infants and toddlers? Did you already do a post about this topic?
I have some info here: https://www.notconsumed.com/2012/07/09/parenting-the-toddler-years/
The routine isn’t working. My 3 year old daughter has had the same routine for years now. I do not give in to demands or make concessions. She is a very hyper child. She is exactly like I was as a kid. A real life Dennis the Menace. She just won’t give it up at bedtime. She will be exhausted and lie there for a few minutes and then gets this wave if energy. I’ve tried everything. The night light gets taken out, the door gets closed ( then she turns her bedroom light on ), I take the bulb out, I’ve taken favorite toys as punishment, the list goes on. She will get upset for a minute and cry. Then she’s accepts her situation and resumes the madness. It’s she’s not in there playing and getting out of bed then she is crying non stop and keeping my 10 year old daughter awake. Not to mention the toll it takes on me. I work full time and my wife works nights. So by the time she does finally go to sleep I don’t have a minute to myself because I have to go to bed and do it all over again. I’m exhausted with no end in sight.
Have you considered a dietary change? No artificial coloring, no refine sugar, and no caffeine? I know many people have had much success with that.
I had that issue. Our pediatrician suggested melatonin melts. Now my biggest problem is coercing them that they don’t need it EVERY night.
I’m happy I’m not the only person who thought that the second they read it.
At 8:45 every night I put my boys to bed. I never have any trouble getting them to sleep but every single night my 8 year old wakes up in the middle of the night and gets in bed with his brother or the large chair in my room. I’ve done everything possible to try to get him to stay in his own room. He says he’s scared but he’s not scared when he goes to bed. We have lived here for 6 years so I don’t know why he’s been doing this for about 6 months now. I punish him each day for it but now I feel like he’s dealing with a major issue in his life and I’m punishing him for it.
We laid with our daughter until she fell asleep for a long while. Know what it cost us? Intimacy time with each other, sleep, a good night sleep, etc. Stepping with your child creates separation anxiety when they will start to need to go to step on their own. Then if you go back to your own bed after they fall asleep, if they wake in three Mike of the night (or anytime for that matter) with will be panicked and come to get you. We made that mistake and are now trying to fix it. Our daughter is now 6. She had not had a full uninterrupted night’s sleep in three last couple years. YEARS! I’m not even exaggerating. We can see it affecting her daily mood and her performance in school and learning. Lack of step affects attention in school too. She fidgets and talks to friends and does whatever she can to stay awake, but gets her in trouble in class. As I write this, it is 1:38am. I have put her down 4 times already since 7pm. I get up for work I another 3 1/2 hours. DON’T SHEEP IN THEIR BEDS WITH THEM. You’re inviting trouble