The Real Reason Kids Fight Parents So Hard at Bedtime
But Dr. Hafeez was quick to note this isn’t the only reason kids resist lights out، adding that fear of missing out، or difficulty transitioning to a new sleep schedule could be to blame for bedtime battles.
Parenting expert، mental health professional، and author Daniel Huerta، Psy.D، MSW، LCSW، LSSW. would add a few other culprits that make bedtime feel more like a power struggle than a soothing wind-down. He says kids could be coping with a lack of self-control، self-regulation issues، or personality traits that make bedtime more challenging.
How You Can Ease Bedtime Battles
No matter the reason، the good news is there are things we can do to help our kiddos settle down—without losing our minds in the process. We’ve
heard time and again that establishing a bedtime routine helps kids know what to expect. It also keeps them calm as the end of their day draws near. As it turns out، there’s a reason that routines، especially those that incorporate soothing elements، do more than simply take the edge off for fried parents.
“Generally، kids have less self-control by bedtime،” Dr. Huerta explains. “According to research، self-control tends to deplete throughout the day، and if they are tired—because of a lack of sleep from the day before or missing a nap—they may be lacking self-regulation capabilities and may be more impulsive."1
Turns out FOMO (fear of missing out) is real for kids. "Many young kids do not want to miss out on anything and are still actively curious and looking for stimulation،" Dr. Huerta adds. "This could be why music، rocking، singing، and bedtime stories can
