We often emphasize the importance of a regular bedtime routine for our children. Following a time-schedule program our brain for a sound sleep at night. Many of us might even tell stories to toddlers to put them to sleep or have small talk about their day. However, as our children grow, the flow of communication is not as steady.
Ask engaging Bedtime questions for sound sleep |
Open communication is essential for better bonding between parents and children. You can use the time to bed for some reconnection and rebonding with your children. Such a one-on-one interaction not only improves your relationship with your kids but also allows you to instigate the seeds for good manners and virtuous character. Start by asking some engaging, open-ended bedtime questions for sound sleep.
Bedtime Questions for A Sound Sleep
First and foremost, you should encourage your kids to follow a sleep
ritual. Once you put them to bed, spend at least 15 to 30 minutes reconnecting
with your kids every night. You can ask them about their day at school, their
friends, stuff they care about, or their interests in general. You will be
surprised how differently your toddlers and growing kids anticipate the world around them.
Moreover, such a consistent bedtime routine helps your kids open up with you by providing them a sense of security. You can share similar activities every night. Here are some suggestions for interesting open-ended bedtime questions for sound sleep that may help you initiate a flow of conversation with your kids:
1)
What
was your favorite part of the day?
Questions like this one encourage your kids to focus on the bright
side of their day. They learn about how to reflect and appreciate special
moments. Further, you can elaborate on the discussion by asking the things they
find best about growing up.
Ask them to describe the best things about you and yourself in three words.
2)
What
was the least interesting part of the day?
We often teach our children to seek and appreciate the sunny side but
do not prepare them for darker nights. Asking questions about what they do not
like in a day allows them to talk about things that didn’t go well, such as bad
choices, being irresponsible, and showing disrespect. Such questions allow you
to model unconditional love by teaching your kids that they can have second chances to improve what didn’t go well the first time.
3)
Do
you want to ask anything about your day?
The kids must know that they can ask about anything and that you
trust, love, and care. As parents, you need to instigate the faith in them that
they can share anything with you without being judged. Avoid being angry or
upset when they talk about something, they find difficult to deal with.
4)
Tell
me about your acts of kindness and love.
Such open communication helps your kids develop the virtues of
integrity and kindness. Questions like these can be powerful and life-changing.
Encourage your kids to be kind even when no one is watching to help them
develop high self-esteem. The act of kindness can be as simple as helping a
friend in need, playing nicely with their siblings, or putting the dirty dishes
in the sink.
5) If you had a magic wand, what would you do with it?
A question like this one unfolds the imagination of the child. His
answers would help you to understand your child better such as his vision of
his life, the surroundings, his needs, and wants, etc.
You can ask any of the above questions differently each day to
kickstart a conversation before sleep time. It would allow you and your kids to
have a memorable time with each other as well as peaceful sleep.
My son is becoming more aware and inquisitive. I love this idea of using engaging open ended questions to help him to sleep better.
ReplyDeleteThanks, you liked them!
DeleteI love this idea! Open ended questions promote much more conversation.
ReplyDeleteyes thanks!
DeleteGreat idea! We try to do this at dinner time, but it doesn’t happen every day as dinner can get chaotic some evenings. Will try it at bedtime and see how it goes! Thanks
ReplyDeleteGreat, let me know, how it went:)
DeleteI love this, I'll have to start doing these when Sebastian can talk!
ReplyDeleteWhat you're sharing is very interesting. I've never heard about bedtime questions for kids and how it can improve communication with them. In reality I don't know much because I don't have children myself, but this is still good to know. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCorinne
I am yet to have children of my own, but I can tell this post will be very useful for all parents out there.
ReplyDeleteThank you very useful article keysaid
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions - i quite often used these questions when my guys were little. Although they are teens now, we still have a "routine" of saying goodnight (they are the ones that tuck ME in now LOL!)
ReplyDeleteWow, that is indeed a great routine:)
DeleteYou know, I've never actually thought about doing this at bedtime. I'm going to try this and see if it makes a difference for my kid
ReplyDeleteGreat!
Delete