Getting Kids to Bed (and to Stay in Bed) on Christmas Eve

Telling your kids that Santa (or La Befana or the Magi or whoever) won't come unless they are asleep only does a little good because if the children are all excited (and who wouldn't be?) then settling down for a long winter's nap is not as easy as it looks. Here are some tips:

• Tire them out. Play outside or take them to an indoor play area and wear them out. Play games, read stories, do last minute decorating, sing carols, whatever you can think of. The more tired they are, the better they will sleep. If they are tired enough, they will fall asleep, even though they are anxious and excited.
• Have a hearty dinner and make sure it's something your kids will eat (even if it's Macaroni and Cheese or Peanut Butter sandwiches) and then follow that with a bath. 
• If you put out cookies and milk and carrots or something similar do it before the next tip.
  
• After that, change into pajamas and watch a Christmas video followed by some Christmas stories. Doing quiet things before bed will help wind them down a bit. This will only work if they have been tired out first.
• Put them to bed the way you normally do and remind them that they are not to come out of their rooms until the sun comes up (at least.) Put on soothing music (perhaps Christmas carols without words) and turn off lights in the rooms near their room and stay quiet. If they think others are awake and partying they won't go to bed. Either be quiet till they fall asleep or go to another room further away. 
  

Well I hope that helps, have a good holiday!

Thanks to St. Eve's Kids and TwitterMoms for the post idea. They are also hosting a contest if you get there soon and share your own 5 ideas for getting and keeping kids in bed on Christmas you might be able to win.

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