You’re Not Alone: Bedtime Struggles…
It is reassuring to know that 1 in 4 parents out there find bedtime difficult. If your evening feels more like a battle than a calm routine, you’re not alone.
This post will give you a simple plan to make bedtime easier with a bedtime reading routine. One that turns storytime into the highlight of your night, not another task to dread.
I know the struggle. I used to be one of the 33% of parents who stayed in the room until their children drifted off. But when I made bedtime reading a nightly habit instead of an occasional treat, everything changed. Nights became calmer and sleep came much more easily.
In my last post, I explained why reading together at bedtime matters for connection, language, empathy, and sleep. Now it’s time to make it work in your home.
In this post, you’ll learn how to:
- Keep evenings calm and stress-free
- Create cues that make reading feel natural
- Turn bedtime into the highlight of your own day
Imagine finishing the day laughing over a shared story instead of feeling frazzled. Here’s how to bring back bedtime reading in 6 simple steps.
Make a Bedtime Reading Routine Stick
1. Start Small
Starting any new routine can feel overwhelming. Some parents try to do too much too soon, and children end up overwhelmed by the sudden change.
In the beginning, the goal isn’t how long you read, but how often. You want it to feel easy for everyone involved.
Start small: 5 minutes of reading or just two pages. These early wins build confidence and help you both ease into the bedtime reading routine.
2. Build Anticipation Early
Your reading routine doesn’t have to wait until bedtime. Build excitement during the day so that your child is the one asking for storytime, not you.
At mealtimes, I like to bring up the book we read the night before. Then I’ll ask what they’d like to read tonight. It gets them thinking about storytime long before bed.
By the time bedtime comes, the book is already waiting on the bed. Storytime feels like their choice, not mine.
Children are more likely to join in when they feel in control, so give them that little bit of ownership.
3. Create a Cue
Children relax when they know what to expect. And when they’re calm, you can be calm too.
Most families already have a bedtime routine. Simply tuck reading in near the end where it feels natural.
Bedtime reading routine example:
Bath → pyjamas → teeth → book → sleep
Pick the same spot each night (bed, chair, or reading corner), and use the same cue: “So, what book have you chosen for us tonight?”
Need some inspiration? Check out these easy tips to turn any space into the perfect reading spot.
In our home, my kids get 10 minutes to look through the book while I shower. It gives them independence and a taste of what’s to come.
Shape the bedtime reading routine to fit your family. Once it’s in place, try to keep it steady night after night.
4. Drop Everything and Be Present
When storytime begins, give your child your full attention. If your mind is elsewhere, neither of you will enjoy it.
Quiet moments with our children are rare. Work, screens, and homework all get in the way, which is why it helps to protect storytime as your time together.
Leave the phone in another room and show your child how valuable reading is. These moments don’t come back, so hold onto them while you can.
Want to make the most of those moments? Try these simple activities to enjoy while reading together.
5. End With the Same Signal Every Night
Just as you start storytime with a cue, end with one too. This is another part of your bedtime reading routine that signals to your child that it is time to sleep.
It could be a question, a hug, or even switching off the lights in a funny way. Over time, it becomes an automatic wind-down trigger.
At first, your child might beg you to read “one more story.” Hold firm. Give in once, and they’ll try every night.
But if they still want more after you’ve closed the book, you can offer a middle ground. I sometimes leave them with a book and their nightlight. No pressure, just quiet reading until they drift off.
6. What Matters Most Is Showing Up
Be realistic, some nights will be harder than others. But even a few minutes before sleep is enough to keep the routine alive.
A page, a poem, or a picture walk will prevent the habit from slipping. Because once you skip one night, the next night becomes easier to skip, too.
Your child won’t remember if it was three minutes or fifteen. But they will remember that you made the effort.
An easy way to stay consistent? Discover how a simple daily tracker makes reading stick.
Life With a Consistent Bedtime Reading Routine
Bedtime reading isn’t about perfection. It’s about building a simple habit that will stay with your child for years. And the best part is our children want to share these moments with us!
With consistency, your chaotic nights can turn into calm moments of connection. The kind you’ll look forward to when life feels hectic.
You want this. Your child wants this. Start reading together tonight!
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