End bedtime struggles NOW

Hello, Happy Humans! 👋

We're here with our weekly 3 things...

1️⃣ A question from our community

2️⃣ Our actionable tips

3️⃣ A resource from our toolkit

1. The question

“How can I help my kid feel comfortable falling asleep on their own without having to stay with them every night? I just want some time for myself!”

2. Our answer

The struggle is REAL! 

We’ve experienced different sleep needs with each of our four kids at different stages of their development.  

Honestly, the birth-to-6 years phase has been the most challenging for us, but we’ve weathered each storm, and continue to do so with our youngest (who is now 3 years old). 

I’ll never forget when we got a call from our then-2-year-old’s preschool saying he couldn’t stay for the afternoon session because he wasn’t napping, which made it hard for him to engage afterward.  

At home, he still napped regularly and clearly needed it.

That’s when I put on my pediatric occupational therapist hat and started questioning the environment. 

It turned out he was expected to nap in an open space, surrounded by older kids who weren’t napping, with bright light streaming in through the windows. 🤪

After discussing it with his teachers, we tried a new setup… 

A smaller room with closed shades and minimal transitions/expectations before nap time. 

It worked like a charm! While he didn’t nap every single day, he napped the majority of the time.

It was a great reminder that sometimes it’s not about changing the child… It's about changing the environment.

And the same applies to home!  

So, here are a few tips to optimize your home sleep environment…

Create a consistent bedtime routine. 

A predictable, calming bedtime routine helps your kids feel secure and ready for sleep. 

Activities like reading a favorite story, practicing breathwork (check out our 57+ Ways to Chill workshop for more info!), or offering gentle back rubs can create a sense of comfort and signal that it’s time to wind down.

Sensory regulation is key.

The ‘right’ sensory input will play a HUGE role in helping kids relax.  

Try dim lighting, white noise, or even soft music to create a calming atmosphere.

Model calm regulation. 

Ultimately, our emotional state as parents is going to impact our kids ability to settle down.

If your kids wake up during the night and seem distressed, approach them calmly, offering gentle reassurance that they’re safe and you’re nearby.

Over time, these opportunities for co-regulation (i.e., your calm presence), will help them develop self-soothing skills and build confidence sleeping independently.

3. From our toolkit

Knowing that your own regulation is the foundation of a peaceful sleep environment, we’re excited to offer...

Module 7: SLEEP from our 57+ Ways to Chill workshop as a standalone resource.

Are you struggling with stress and overwhelm? 

Proper sleep can help reset your nervous system, restore emotional balance, and recharge your life!

In Module 7: SLEEP, you’ll learn about…

⭐ Sleep as nervous system recovery
⭐ Practical tips for improving sleep quality
⭐ Progressive muscle relaxation
⭐ Optimizing light exposure

You can get started today for just $15!  Use this link to start!

Take the first step toward helping yourself and your kids…

✅ Falling asleep faster

✅ Staying asleep longer 

✅ Waking up feeling more refreshed

We’ll see you in there!

♥️Jenilee & Greg