I love Supernanny. I’ve seen countless episodes. Different families with different problems, except one…bedtime. I cant remember the last time Jo (that’s supernanny) did not have to deal with a problem at bedtime.  I hear so many parents saying “I wish my kids would go to bed early.”  Um, you ARE the parent, right?  I just shake my head and think of how great my kids are at bedtime, and ALWAYS have been.

Ok, Ok, I just choked on my own laugh with that last comment.  I used to DREAD bedtime, because it was such a stressful and LONG process.  But now, my kids get 11-12 hours of sleep and I am a happy mom, EVEN at 6:30am.  Bedtime for your kids is not only healthy for them, its also Healthy for mom.  This did not happen overnight, mainly because I wavered a little from the rules.  I learned VERY quickly that you have to follow the rules EXACTLY.

What ARE the rules you ask?  I would like to tell you I thought these up on my own and here is my patent number, but, I didn’t.  I stole the rules right from Supernanny.  I did not even ask permission I just did it and now I will pass them on to you.  Ready?  Here they are…TaDa

• Follow a CALMING bedtime routine.
• Before he gets into bed make sure he has no reason to get up.  (He has gone to the bathroom, had a little water and after all of this, make sure you make it clear that you now expect him to stay in bed)

NOW, the following are the rules within the rules.  Basically what to do after all this and he makes his 1st to 21st (or whatever) attempt at getting out of bed.

• The first time he gets up, remind him it is bedtime, lead him back to bed and give him a kiss and a cuddle and leave the bedroom.
• The second time do the same but use a firmer voice and make the kiss and cuddle brief.
• The third time and any times after say nothing as you lead him back to his bed, tuck him in and leave the room.

The last one is where I wavered, and it is really the most important to stick to.  I have also seen variations of this technique on the show.  She will sometimes have the parent do all the following but instead of leave the room, she will have them step away from the bed, sit down with your head down.  This is to provide the child with some comfort.  She has the parent wait until the child is asleep to leave.

Following these rules does not give you INSTANT results.  It took me a full week of hour long (or more) trials before it actually worked.  It was exhausting, but 100% worth it.  I have so much more ME time because of it.  I can share with you my “calming ” routine that seems to work.

Because of my schedule, I am unable to get the kids to bed at the same time EVERY night.  But, because I have stuck to my guns in the past, I have gained enough respect that when I tell my kids that they have 15 more minutes until we get ready for bed (no matter WHAT time it is) they don’t argue

• Easy on up on the sugary treats before bed (actually ALL day if you can)
• Clean up time!  They have to put ALL their toys away.
• They get to watch TV for a short time.
• I tell them they have 15 more minutes till bathtime.
• It’s bathtime…scrub scrub..dub dub.
• Teeth brushed, go to potty.
• They each pick a book for me to read.
• They go to their separate rooms.
• I sit with each one and let them tell me about their day.
• kisses, hugs and tucked in…

TADA…  Again, this is altered here and there.  Sometimes I help them pick up toys, sometimes I only read ONE book AND sometimes I’m not able to give them a bath that night.  It really all comes down to getting your kids to respect you and trust you enough that if you do have to alter the “program” they are able to flow with it with you.  Kids do need discipline and structure…actually, they LOVE it, and will respect you more for it.

You may think this just seems like an awful lot, but just think about all that time you take just trying to get your kids to bed.  You should also check out super nannys website.