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Dear Betsy,What can I do to get my three-year-old to go to sleep at a normal bedtime? She used to go to bed at around 7pm and slept well but now she just won't settle down until 10pm by which time I am totally exhausted.
My husband and I never get a chance to sit and eat dinner together in peace. Her older brother who is eight-years-old goes to bed by 8pm every night without any problem. Please help me get my family routine back.
Valerie
Dear Valerie,
A three-year-old can be a little powerhouse of energy, as you are finding out. What is it they say ... the 'terrible twos' and the 'trying threes'?
Toddlers, like all kids, need a routine and you need to stick to it.
Does she go to nursery school? If so, then this is a good way to help her run off energy.
Make sure the members of staff do not let her to sleep all morning, as some nursery/kindergarten schools do allow this. A short nap may be OK but a longer sleep will mean she won't be ready to sleep at night.
If she is not at nursery either consider enrolling her at one or make sure she gets lots of active playtime in the garden, or the swing park, to run off some energy.
It is best to make sure her diet does not contain lots of E additives or is very high in sugar. Nutrition is very important and can have a profound effect on a child's behaviour.
For some excellent nutritional advice read Alia Almoayed's book called I Want Healthy Kids featured recently in GulfWeekly, and on sale locally.
It is vital that you establish a 'wind down' bedroom routine. If you want your daughter to sleep by 7pm then try serving dinner between 5-5.30pm. Then she can play with her brother for a while before you need to prepare her bath. This should be a nurturing, relaxing experience for both you and your child. Use a gentle bath foam and add two drops of roman chamomile and two drops of sweet orange pure essential oils to a cup of full fat milk and add to the warm water just before she gets into the bath.
This combination will help calm and relax her and you can also use these two oils in an electric aroma diffuser in her bedroom to help her sleep well.
After her bath, dress her in her night clothes and slippers and then off to bed with her favourite teddy or soft toy.
This is the time to read or tell her a short bedtime story. Keep the lighting in her room soft and low to encourage her to sleep.
Let her know that mummy will read her a nice story then it is time for her to sleep. After the story, kiss her, tuck her in and say goodnight. If she protests then you must just be firm and keep repeating that it is bedtime now.
If she keeps leaving bed then you need to keep putting her back to bed.
It will not be easy at first but once you have established a solid routine and she realises that you mean business then it will get easier.
Experts tell us to reinforce good behaviour, rather than scolding for being naughty.
Sometimes this works, sometimes, you may start to wonder who is running the asylum!
Kids are cute and super smart but whatever you do, give them love and a great big hug!
Dear Betsy,
Will I get fat if I drink four or five cola drinks a day? I am a teenage girl, a little overweight and don't take exercise.
Tahani
Dear Tahani,
If you are not exercising, are already overweight and continue to drink so many cola drinks a day then you will put weight on.
Apart from that, a can of cola drink can contain anywhere from eight to 12 teaspoons of sugar, a host of chemicals, including caffeine and are just totally devoid of any desirable nutritional value.
You should try to switch to fruit juices and mineral waters. If it is the 'fizz' that you craze in cola drinks then try mixing some soda water with fresh fruit juices for a thirst quenching, healthy fizzy drink.
Even better, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables as they are high in water content and they are packed with vitamins and minerals that can help balance your appetite and thirst and improve your diet.
