If there’s one secret weapon in this war, it’s a boring, predictable routine. And I mean boring. Boring is beautiful. You want your toddler to find your pre-sleep activities so dull that sleep looks like a vacation. Think: bath, pajamas, two books (not ten, no matter how cute the puppy eyes), a song, and then a firm, loving “goodnight, moon.”
But hear me—the routine must be a stone wall. If you cave once and do an extra song, you’ve just taught them that whining can buy you three more rounds of “Wheels on the Bus.” It’s like negotiating with a tiny, adorable terrorist. Consistency is your armor. Wear it proudly, even when they scream like you’re abandoning them on a desert island called “the crib.”
The False Escape
Ah, the “I need to potty” or “I need a drink” gambit. This is a classic. They don’t need the bathroom. They need to stall. My niece once claimed she needed to “check on the carrots” in the fridge. Toddlers will invent chores to avoid unconsciousness. Your job is to gently, firmly escort them back to bed with a smile that says “I see your plot, tiny human.”
Pro tip: Pre-empt the requests. Stick a sippy cup of water in the crib. Do a final potty trip right before books. Cut off the excuses before they bloom. You’re not mean—you’re a sleep strategist.
How to Get a Toddler to Sleep in Their Own Bed: 14 Steps
