I’m not quite sure how we ended up in our current sleep situation. Braylen is vibrant and full of life and she has such a difficult time shutting everything off and falling asleep at night. There aren’t meltdowns or fits, she just lays and tosses and turns, sings songs, talks to her stuffed animals, she just has a hard time settling in and drifting off to sleep.
As a former kindergarten teacher, I recognize the importance of reading. Letting your children see and hear you read, letting them read to you, it’s a foundation for all other learning, so we are sure to emphasize reading in our house. We always read several books before bed, but they certainly don’t lull her to sleep. Instead, they usually come with a million questions and silly comments.
When I received the book The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep, I was a little skeptical about a book helping with our sleep routine. It truly seemed like we were probably just dealing with difficulty winding down and she may be one of those people who takes a little while to finally get to sleep. I’ll happily say I was so wrong about this book. It was amazing. It follows the story of a rabbit who can’t fall asleep, so he goes to visit his uncle and on his way meets a few friends who help fall asleep. It is more than just reading, it actually teaches the child how to fall asleep. I have to admit, I had a hard time getting up out of the warm and comfy bed when the book was over, and by the fourth page, Braylen was fast asleep.
The next day she said, can we just start in the place we left off because I’m afraid it will make fall asleep again before we finish. I can’t tell you what a game changer this simple book was for us. We read a few favorites first and end with this book and she is always fast asleep before the book is finished. I love that she is getting in bed at an earlier time and not struggling to fall asleep. The craziest thing happened last night, she brushed her teeth and I went to grab a few books to read to her from the playroom, when I returned she was sleeping soundly.
My husband and I are were both shocked and super impressed. I have a few sweet friends who will be getting this book for Christmas. I feel like I need to share the stress-free nights with the people I adore. If you’re in search of a way to get your children to sleep peacefully, this book is the ticket. Share your bedtime nightmares.
What are some of your remedies for putting a child to sleep? Tell me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card and a copy of The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep.
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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
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This sweepstakes runs from 11/18/15-12/16/15.
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Katie R says
I have been so tempted to purchase this book, but it would be so much fun to win a copy!
Mrs Buxton says
I am all about the routine. Same time every day, same order for getting ready, having a snack and reading books. I feel like getting good bedtimes took us the first 2/3 years! Patience in spades is the key. It is such a fluid thing. Like everything else with kids they change and go through stages. It will be easy and then all of the sudden it flips back to being a struggle.
Leslie Lambert says
Keeping a consistent bedtime and routine are key for us! (leslieflambert at gmail dot com)
sarah says
I love the ides of this book! i use body and bath lavender pillow mist to help mt child fall asleep.
Mami2jcn says
We use a white noise machine to help with sleep.
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/668813555978936321
Erin Ellis says
I use a white noise machine to help put my kids to sleep. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
Erin Ellis says
Tweet:
https://twitter.com/ErinLoves2Run/status/668826040244899842
Erin
ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
Misty says
My daughter also struggles to fall asleep at night. I would love to win this book!
Lindsay says
It’s all about the routine in our household although our four year old fights it every night. I’ve never heard of this book, but it’s definitely something that I’m going to look into now!
megan says
Oh my gosh! My preschooler needs this book!
Jessie C. says
Bedtime story does the trick for my kids.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
April says
I would love to win this book. That would be awesome! I have been tempted to buy it. Thanks!
Jessie C. says
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/668885311443763201
April says
So glad this worked for her! I would love this book. I have almost bought it. Winning would be awesome! Thanks
Beth says
Having set routine and limited crazy/silly/energetic activities for a good hour before bed seems to usually work for us.
Beth says
https://twitter.com/bethbiermann/status/669179562979418113
Elena says
I like to turn on some relaxing music
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/669288492275372032
latanya says
bathtime, story time, hugs and kisses
latanya says
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/669300241963741185
Lois says
Having a consistent routine & a set bedtime has been our secret along with quiet activity & singing, bedtime stories carefully chosen to not excite our 5 daughters, & prayers & kisses. Am anxious to read this book to understand why it helps.
Lisa says
A bath before bedtime and reading a story right before going to sleep are the remedies that I use to put children to sleep.
Jeffrey says
I think having a routine is the most important part of getting a child to sleep. Ours included a snack, bath and bedtime story.
Jeffrey says
I posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/669622270109859840.
heather says
One great remedy for putting a child to sleep is driving around the neighborhood. There is something about being in the car that puts kids to sleep when all else fails. I also think it is important to stick to a routine.
D Schmidt says
We use black out curtains, have a strict routine and try to stick to it for consistancy.
D Schmidt says
tweeeted https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/670021011815968768
Karen H. says
Definitely agree about having a bedtime routine, bedtime, brushing teeth, reading books, saying prayers, etc.
Amy Tong says
My remedies for putting a child to sleep is reading, a glass of warm milk and soft music. always work well.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong says
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/670453809978699776
amy [at] utry [dot] it
heather baker says
We keep a bedtime routine. Each night my husband and I alternate between our daughter and son and we all share our favorite part of the day with each other and then have a prayer before kissing them goodnight.
Rebecca Graham says
Reading before bedtime can make bedtime easier.
Cheyenne Rodriguez says
We do a lavender bath, blow dry hair, discuss what we are grateful for thay happened thay day, and read stories to help aid in sleep. And a little while before bed a glass of milk, because of the melatonin and other factors it has. And we keep it routine with the same bedtime every night. I’ve heard good things about this book! ๐
Kristen says
No secrets…just sit quietly and read a book together.
Kristen says
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/671061548106981377
Donna Marchlewski says
I own this book. It is excellent!
BusyWorkingMama says
My daughter loves to read before bed. She also likes to have a “sound machine” that makes some white noise in the room.
maria cantu says
Reading at bedtime works for us.
Tina m says
We have a bedtime routine. Dinner, bath ,story time and bed time, my son goes to bed at 8 every day!
Tina m says
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/672594664676065284
Will G says
Read them a bedtime story!
Will G says
https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/672606967177854982
CR Williams says
I limit screen time before going to bed. That tends to help.
Rachel says
I think having a consistent bedtime routine is the best remedy for putting your children to sleep.
Rachel says
https://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/672816425245929472
Gina M says
We usually start with a bath, and that really calms him down.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Gina M says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/673225115434409984
Rebecca says
I think a consistent bedtime and bath before bed helps my kids sleep well.
Rebecca says
https://mobile.twitter.com/michael64263870/status/673340032619556864
Susan Smith says
We have a routine where we take baths, read and listen to music which helps get my children sleepy.
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/673702544112140288
Elle says
I find that a routine works best and not giving in no matter how much they ask. If you give an inch, they will try to take a foot and expect that inch every night so be firm, be loving and set the mood.
Elle says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/673928648773136384
erica best says
bath, oatmeal, and bed time story
erica best says
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/675183456473718785
Betty C says
I wish this book had been around when my children were young. I never had problems sleeping and it was hard to understand why they couldn’t shut down.
Betty C says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/676129731138334721
Stephanie Phelps says
Somethings I do is use lavender in their bath and make it as quite as possible so when we get to reading it is calm!
Stephanie Phelps says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/676137046424035329
Linda C. says
A sound machine has worked for me.
Linda C. says
Tweet https://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/676159123218554880
Shawn Gallagher says
Soft music…
Shawn Gallagher says
https://twitter.com/Esham4life/status/676205247753154561
kjasus says
we use an oil diffuser
kjasus says
https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/676232526755717121
debbie says
Our kids are grown now but we had great success with a very established bedtime routine that included reading. We also didn’t let them stay up late for any reason.
debbie says
https://twitter.com/suburbsanity/status/676596953384374273
whitney lindeman says
I’m a fan of essential oils – lavender and Peace & Calming (Young Living) in a diffuser works wonders. ๐
whitney lindeman says
Tweeted, too!
https://twitter.com/WhitSweeps/status/676598410221195264
Lisa Brown says
We would read to our kids before bed and sit in the room a while, if they were having problems with the room being too dark or they were feeling unsure or insecure. Just having one of us in the room, helped them fall sleep. Some classical music, also helped to get them to relax.
Lisa Brown says
tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/676784701734961152
Julie Wood says
We turn off the TV early in the evening, and I read a variety of books that my son loves and it really helps him fall asleep. Also I keep his room dark and cool to help with his sleep.
Julie Wood says
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/676785744954822657
Kerry says
A bath before bedtime usually helps for us.
Allison Swain says
Reading them a story/ book to sleep usually works for us.
Thank you for the chance to win!
Allison Swain says
TWeet
https://twitter.com/allisonrswain/status/676843361794433024
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/676846434226933761
Amanda Sakovitz says
I find singing helps
Amanda Sakovitz says
tweet
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/676867830545977344
Natalie says
My daughter loves to read so we read at least one story before bed, and she falls asleep easily.
Natalie says
tweet https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/676902476927344641
ELIZABETH P says
We always read a book…this one looks great.
ELIZABETH P says
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/676932395946385413
Seyma Shabbir says
My remedy is no TV before bedtime. Read to the kids or they can play lego!
Seyma Shabbir says
https://twitter.com/SeymaShabbir/status/676962391675043840
Ellie Wright says
After bath we always read. Now that my 7 year old is a reading whiz, he usually reads to me. Then lights out. He enjoys the quiet time reading and it allows him to unwind.
Ellie Wright says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/676964328558456833
Denise L says
When my son was little I swore by the Sleep Sheep (white noise machine). Now he puts his stuffed animals to bed and tucks them in to get himself ready for bed. It really helps him wind down and become restful.
Tamara says
Keep your children calm for the last hour or so before bedtime — no running around or hyper playing!
westiemks5 at yahoo dot com
Tamara says
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/pixel_berry_pie/status/676986827186786304
Thomas Murphy says
I read my son a story to get him to sleep.
Thomas Murphy says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/676989222138593280
Jerry Marquardt says
I have used a fan to drown out sound, to help sooth and make it easier for them to go to sleep.
Jerry Marquardt says
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/677060567840989184
angie says
I do not have children, so I have never faced this issue as an adult. When I was a teen, I did babysit though. I found that singing to the child or laying with them until they fell asleep worked really well.
angie says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/677169791300411392
Karine Traverse says
Reading chapter books together or snuggling up to watch a movie or tv show
Karine Traverse says
Tweeted https://mobile.twitter.com/SAHMofDQ/status/677178697376468994
Karine Traverse says
Wrong tweet link https://mobile.twitter.com/SAHMofDQ/status/677180165089312769
Tabathia B says
i usually read her a book and rub her back
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/677186643250552833
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
sandra says
dim lighting and music
Kathryn C says
#SweepstakesEntry – comment
definitely making sure favorite toys are in reach to sleep with and favorite night light is on – these are some remedies for getting child to sleep more easily!
KC
Kathryn C says
#SweepstakesEntry tweet:
https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/677270162060496900
KC
WHITNEY says
I have learned that soft, tranquil music always helps.
WHITNEY says
I sent out a tweet: https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/677286275028684801
WHITNEY says
made a correction to my tweet, sorry: https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/677286688075350016
Sarah L says
No kids, so no remedies.
Thanks for the contest.
Barbara M says
When the kids were little we always had quiet time an hour before bed.
That was a huge help!
thank you
Sarah L says
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/677291022150307840
Barbara M says
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/677291071278350336