Do you struggle with bedtime?  If so, know that you are NOT alone!  As a seasoned parent to five bios as well as foster mom to over 20 foster kids over the years, bedtime is not all sunshine and rainbows.  We’ve been there.  The long drawn out bedtime routines.  Dozens of bathroom and drink runs.  Sad faces with crocodile tears.  The struggle is so real!  But over the years, we’ve gotten into a groove that works.  So I partnered with Step2 so I could share ways to get your toddler to sleep better.  Because who doesn’t crave a full nights rest!

Top 10 Ways To Get Your Toddler To Sleep Better

Routine, Routine, & More Routine

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that most kids (and adults) thrive on routine.  They like to know what’s coming.  Knowing what to expect and what is expected out of them creates a calmer environment.

So come up with a bedtime routine that works for your family and stick with it!  Even if the bed time changes, still go through all the motions of the routine.

Speaking Of Routine, Make It Enjoyable

Whatever you decide to do, make your bedtime rituals and routines enjoyable.  For BOTH of you!  A typical night in our home is:

• Head upstairs and everyone brushes their teeth and goes potty.
• We then head to the “boys room” while the kids play quietly as they wait for everyone.
• Once everyone is there, my husband reads the Bible aloud.  The kids and I all sit quietly around him.
• Then we all get on our knees and do bedtime prayers.
• The girls and I then head over to the girls room where I read a couple books to Lucy (the youngest). Then, if time allows, I’ll read a chapter from one of our 13 years olds books too.  (During this, my husband reads from a chapter book to the boys.  Typically Boxcar Children or Hardy Boys.)
• Now it’s big light out for everyone.  Each of the kids has a bed lamp or flashlight though.  And they are now allowed to play or read QUIETLY (key word!) for 10 minutes.  We set a timer so they know exactly when that time is up.
• Kisses and hugs to everyone (my husband and I both go to each child).  And then we head back downstairs.
• After the timer goes off, the kids all shut off their lights.

We RARELY have an issue!  Sometimes, we’ll hear someone take another bathroom break.  But they head right back to bed again without coming downstairs.

**Back when we first started this routine, we’d sometimes have a child come back down to be re-tucked in.  But once we made the rule that they’d lose their 10 minutes of quiet play or reading, they stopped.

Don’t Ever Threaten Their Bed Or Bedtime As A Punishment

Now hear me out.  I’m not saying that you can’t put your child to bed if they need it.  Just last week, our 3 year old, Lucy, was really crabby at about 10am.  However, I approached it by telling her that she needed a break and to go crawl in bed for a rest.  I told her she could read a book or play quietly but I wanted her to stay in her bed.  A short 30 minutes later, I went up to check on her.  She was in such a better mood!  After that short break, she was able to come back down and enjoy the rest of her day without any further issues.  Sometimes, kids need a break and that’s okay.  Just don’t threaten their bed or bedtime in a negative manner.  Keeping their bed in a positive light is one of the great ways to get your toddler to sleep better.

Clear The Clutter

We try to keep the kids’ bedrooms fairly clutter free.  Everyone seems to sleep much better when their room is orderly.  So even though they do have some toys in their bedrooms, we clean up every day.  And at least once per month, we go through their rooms and take out anything that isn’t being played with or enjoyed.  Those items go down to the basement until the kids decide to get rid of them or rotate them back up.

Add A Fan

Each bedroom in our house has either a ceiling fan, standing fan, or both.  Ever since we bought the kids a fan for their rooms, they’ve started sleeping much better!  It occurred to me how much better I slept with a fan so I decided to give it a try for everyone.  So glad it works!

Night Light

We picked up a couple of cheap and really dim night lights for the kids’ rooms.  They really add very little lighting.  But the important thing they do add is comfort!

Leave The Bathroom Light On

Our upstairs bathroom has a bright vanity light as well as a dimmer overhead light.  The kids sleep with their bedroom doors closed.  But we leave the dimmer overhead bathroom light on for those middle of the night potty breaks!  The kids are able to get up and go without being afraid.  And since the light isn’t terribly bright, it doesn’t fully wake them.  So not only does that mean they can get up and go potty easily, they head back to bed and fall right back to sleep too!

Make Their Bed Comfy

Honestly, who doesn’t love a fun comforter?  Or comfy pillows?  Add some pizazz and comfort to their bed!  Let them choose a cute throw pillow.  Or a pillowcase with their favorite character.  Add a couple stuffed animals and small basket of books to the foot of the bed too!

Fun Beds Never Go Out Of Style

When I was a kid, I wanted a “Princess Bed”.  The kind with a canopy, frills, and lace.  Sadly, I never got it.  I always wonder if it would have helped me sleep better.  I struggled to fall asleep for years as a child.  But I also had an old bed with a hard mattress.  So my husband and I have tried to get our kids fun beds that they would want to sleep in.  One being, the new (and TOTALLY AWESOME!) Step2 TurboCharged Twin Truck Bed!

Don’t Dawdle

Once your bedtime routine is complete, head out the door without dawdling.  If you hang around, it’ll give the kids an opportunity to stall!

And there you have it!  My tips for Ways To Get Your Toddler To Sleep Better.  I hope they help bedtime go a little smoother for you and your family!  But keep reading to learn more about Step2’s brand new fun TurboCharged Twin Truck Bed!

Turbocharged Twin Truck Bed For The Win

I’m in love with my child’s bed!  SERIOUSLY!  When I first saw the Step2 TurboCharged Twin Truck Bed, I was so excited.  It’s a dream bed for sure.  So much so that even our 13 year old wants it!  Because yes, it is really that cool.

Assembly

The new Step Turbocharged Twin Truck Bed arrived in three large boxes.

As usual, assembly takes a little time but it really easy.  Step2 provides detailed step-by-step instructions and photos to make it simple.  It took us less than an hour to finish.  Which does include assembly, putting on stickers, and making the bed.  ***NOTE: While most Step2 assembly has the stickers at the end, this bed has it as the first step.

While some of the pieces are screwed together, it’s still designed to be easy to move.  Just pop apart the base and it can fit through doorways.

Features Of The Turbocharged Twin Truck Bed

Realistic looking in design, this Truck Bed features:

• Tires & Rims
• Truck Themed Decals
• Light Up Headlights (Perfect Night Light!)
• Built In Side Storage Drawer
• Molded Windows Double As A Side Rails To Help Prevent Falling Out Of Bed
• Heavy Duty Solid Construction
• Holds A Twin Size Mattress (Not Included)
• Made In The USA (From US & Imported Parts)
• Geared For Ages 3 And Up

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for ways to get your toddler to sleep better, make sure you give the list above a try.  And topping it off with the brand new Step2 Turbocharged Twin Truck Bed just makes bedtime all the sweeter.  Our kids love this bed.  It has made going to sleep extra exciting for our kiddo too!  And I love that even our 11 year old son likes it.  So you could easily invest in this bed and have it last for 8+ years for your child.  And knowing the high quality that Step2 delivers, it should still be in great shape and can be passed on to another child.

Connect With Step2

Be sure to like Step2 on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to their You Tube Channel to stay up to date on all their latest news, sales, product releases, and giveaways!

Buy It

Head on over to the Step2 website to learn more about all the great products they offer.  And head over to Amazon to grab your very own Turbocharged Twin Truck Bed, which currently retails for $299.99 but is on sale for $269.99.

Win A Step2 Turbocharged Twin Truck Bed

I’m excited to share that we’ve also teamed up with Step2 to bring you an awesome giveaway of a Step2 Turbocharged Twin Truck Bed!  Head on over to the giveaway to get your name in the drawing!  Good luck!  (And don’t forget to also visit our Step2 Coffee House giveaway too!)