Getting Back to Sleep: Parent-Tested Tips for Post-Holiday Bedtime Success

We all know the holiday scene - later dinners, "just five more minutes" turning into hours, and bedtime routines that have gone completely out the window. If your little ones are still running on vacation time, you're not alone! We've gathered wisdom from our community of parents who've mastered the art of the post-holiday sleep reset.

Here are their tried-and-true tips to bring back that bedtime harmony:

The Gradual Wind-Back Instead of shocking everyone's system with an immediate return to early bedtimes, try adjusting in 15-minute increments over several days. Think of it like helping your little one through jet lag - slow and steady wins the race.

The Bath Signal Make bath time your reset button. A warm, calming bath (maybe with some Noody Bath Potion?) signals the end of play and the start of wind-down time. The familiar routine helps little bodies recognize it's time to start producing those sleepy hormones.

The "Special Helper" Strategy Let your child be part of rebuilding the routine by creating a bedtime checklist together. They can decorate it, tick off each step, and feel like they're in charge of their journey back to regular bedtime.

Screen Sunset Set a firm "devices off" time at least an hour before bed. The blue light from screens can trick little brains into thinking it's still playtime. Instead, bring back quiet activities like reading or gentle play.

Comfort & Connection Keep one special "holiday souvenir" (like a shell they found or a new stuffed friend) as part of their bedtime routine. It helps maintain excitement about being home while creating new sleep associations.

Environment Reset Return their sleep space to its pre-holiday calm. This might mean bringing back the white noise machine, favourite night light, or room-darkening curtains that got forgotten in the holiday chaos.

Remember, patience is key - both with your little ones and yourself! It typically takes about a week for new routines to stick, so stay consistent and celebrate the small wins along the way.

Sweet dreams! 💫