Disclosure: I taught my child the importance of oral health care with LISTERINE® Smart Rinse, as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #LISTERINE
Like most families I know, our family is constantly on the go. We love to be out and about enjoying time together. Starting with the morning hustle to get the kids off to school and head to work. Then to the seemingly endless amounts of after school activities, commitments and adventures there isn’t always a lot of time to between getting home and getting ready for bed. I have found that having a somewhat planned and routine evening schedule really helps my kids wind down and get ready for bed without to much of a struggle on my part. Oh don’t get wrong, there are all the “I need water” “Mommy, can I have another hug” and “Just one more story” shouts from bed but it’s the getting them into the bed part that I think, I sort of, maybe, hopefully now have somewhat mastered…See what I did there, I am hoping to not jinx myself, sort of like never talk about how a baby sleeps. First rule of fight club kinda thing.
HAVE A ROUTINE: I didn’t believe in this one for the longest time. It actually wasn’t till my oldest started elementary school and we couldn’t be late in the morning that I realized how important it was for us to be consistent. A night time routine gets the kids to bed quicker, earlier and easier. This helps so much in the morning too because kids are well rested and ready to go.
GIVE A BEDTIME SNACK: My kids love snacks. One snack they never skip is their before bed snack. It’s become part of the routine. We give a small healthy snack like Cheerios in a cup, a granola bar or a yogurt squeezer. I also make sure to give them a little water that we then bring up and leave next to their bedside at night to prevent the “I need water” cries at night.
READ A BEDTIME STORY: Usually our kids like to bundle up into one bed and read a story together. Recently I have been making sure this isn’t my bed (or they will never leave) We tend to read calm books that don’t involve superheroes or any or of battle! Can you tell I have a 7-year-old boy?
MAKE BRUSHING A PRIORITY: After snack is done and the puppy kisses are given we always head straight to the bathroom to brush. We have always tried to push the importance of good dental hygiene without kids. They go regularly to the dentist, brush daily and our oldest just started using Listerine Smart Rinse® Avengers® to help prevent cavities and help clean places that his toothbrush cannot reach. Listerine Smart Rinse provides kids with a 12 hour cavity protection. The Avengers packaging really helped us get our son to try the Listerine Smart Rinse
I actually think he then felt grown up since he now had his own version of Listerine Smart Rinse after years of watching Mommy and Daddy use it.
He is so excited about it that he wanted to share with other boys and girls how simple it is to use.
And for my last tip, you are almost at the end….
THE TUCK IN: We make the tuck in brief! After we read a book in my son’s room I quickly take my daughter out of his bed, kiss him, hug him and wish him sweet dreams. The quicker I am out, the less time he has to think of things he wants to chat about instead of going to bed!
Do you have a bedtime routine? Any tips you can share with us??
Great tips!
Wait a minute – what about all the stuff that happens after the tuck in??? Is that just my house?? LOL – great list and it’s so awesome how giving them something that seems “grown up” can encourage them to develop good healthy habits!
Great tips – and thanks for the helpful video! I’m going to have my son watch and learn. He’s been gargling with water, but I think it’s time to try Listerine with him. This will help (and so will that cool Avengers packaging!)