By Lori Lite
Boys! My son was a bedtime handful. I spent two stressed filled hours each night trying to get him to sleep. He built forts in his closet, emptied his dressers and pretended he was jumping into books. He was a bundle of boy energy! Today’s boys face a complicated and stressful world. Many boys act out with aggression which is often overlooked as a warning sign for possible stress overload. While society has evolved in how we view boys, there is still a lot of work to be done. Many boys are still expected to be tough and are not given the tools to express themselves. It is difficult for any adult, teen, or child to fall asleep when they are keeping fear and concerns to themselves so here are some tips to help with bedtime for kids.
Today’s boys face a complicated and stressful world. Many boys act out with aggression which is often overlooked as a warning sign for possible stress overload. While society has evolved in how we view boys, there is still a lot of work to be done. Many boys are still expected to be tough and are not given the tools to express themselves. It is difficult for any adult, teen, or child to fall asleep when they are keeping fear and concerns to themselves so here are some tips to help with bedtime for kids.
Tips to Help Boys Fall Asleep:
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Avoid stimulating and violent video games. - Have a winding down time between homework or activity and bedtime.
- Encourage talking about feelings with questions like, “How are you feeling? How are things with your friends?”
- Take distractions out of the room.
- Introduce relaxation music and stress management techniques at an early age.
- Create a safe and comfortable place for children at bedtime. If they want a favorite blanket or stuffed animal around let them have it.
- Focus on relaxation instead of the act of falling asleep.
Indigo Dreams CD Series helps children fall asleep by introducing stress management techniques in a storytelling format. I wrote them to help my own son fall asleep.
Stress Free Kids founder Lori Lite is a freelance blogger, social media strategist, parenting expert, and successful entrepreneur. Her line of books and CDs are designed to help children, teens, and adults decrease stress, anxiety, and anger. Ms. Lite’s books, CDs, and lesson plans are considered a resource for parents, psychologists, therapists, child life specialists, teachers, doctors, and yoga instructors. Lori’s award-winning books received national attention on Shark Tank and her sort after accessible tips have been featured in hundreds of publications to include: CNN Living, Real Simple Magazine, USA Today, Family Circle, Working Mother Magazine, and Web MD. For more information visit Stress Free Kids and for daily advice follow Lori on Twitter and Facebook.