If bedtime at your house looks like an Olympic-level negotiation, complete with snack bar demands, last-minute existential crises, and the classic "But I’m not tired!" performance, you’re not alone. Getting kids to sleep—especially when you have multiple little humans running from school to soccer to violin practice—is a full-contact sport. But don’t worry, tired parents! The REST methods for toddlers and older children are here to save your sanity (and your sleep).
What Is the REST Method™?
The REST Method™ is a proven framework designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers. It breaks down the factors affecting sleep into four easy-to-understand components:
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R: The Right Bedtime
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E: Excellent Bedtime Routine
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S: Solo Sleep Strategy
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T: Tease a Reward
By focusing on these four pillars, you can create a bedtime process that doesn’t feel like trying to herd hyper-caffeinated squirrels. For more details on toddler sleep, check out Awesome Little Sleepers. If your kids are a little older, read on to learn more REST tips.
R is for Routine: The Non-Negotiable Bedtime Blueprint
If bedtime in your house is different every night—sometimes at 7 p.m., sometimes at 9:30 p.m. because someone needed to discuss dinosaurs—your kids’ sleep cycles are probably all over the place. The trick is consistency.
Winning the Routine Game:
✔ Same time, same place: Pick a bedtime and stick to it like glue. Even on weekends. Yes, really. ✔ Keep it predictable: Bath, pajamas, books, bed. The same every night. (Kids love knowing what’s next.) ✔ Wind down like pros: Dim the lights, read something calm (not a high-energy superhero showdown), and avoid screens like they’re coated in broccoli.
🛑 Avoid: Letting your kid talk you into “just one more episode.” That’s how you end up watching an entire season of Paw Patrol and still have a kid who won’t sleep.
E is for Emotions: Because Feelings Don’t Clock Out at 8 PM
You know the deal—bedtime rolls around, and suddenly your kid has ALL THE FEELINGS. “I forgot to tell you about the mean kid at school,” or “What is the meaning of life?” These last-minute emotions can derail bedtime faster than a sugar rush.
Tackling Emotional Bedtime Sabotage:
✔ Talk it out early: Have a “feelings check-in” before the bedtime routine starts. ✔ Acknowledge, don’t debate: “I hear you. That sounds tough. Let’s talk more in the morning.” ✔ Create a worry journal: Have your child jot down worries in a notebook so they don’t bubble up at lights-out.
🛑 Avoid: Getting into a deep discussion about friendship drama at 8:45 p.m. That’s a trap.
S is for Safety: Because Kids Sleep Better When They Feel Secure
Kids sleep best when they feel safe and secure. And no, that doesn’t mean letting them build a fortress out of every pillow and blanket in the house. It means making their sleep space comfortable and predictable.
Creating a Sleep Sanctuary:
✔ Use comfort objects: A favorite stuffed animal, cozy blanket, or nightlight can do wonders. ✔ Be clear about expectations: “Mom and Dad will check on you in 10 minutes” helps ease separation anxiety. ✔ Address nighttime fears: If the “monster under the bed” is a repeat bedtime guest, try a fun spray bottle of “monster repellent” (a.k.a. water).
🛑 Avoid: Letting them turn their room into a rave with LED lights, toys, and distractions.
T is for Time: Because Good Sleep Takes Practice
Kids don’t become great sleepers overnight. (Wouldn’t that be nice?) It takes time, patience, and consistency.
Mastering the Clock:
✔ Stick to the plan: Even when they test you with Oscar-worthy pleas. ✔ Be boring: If they get out of bed, calmly return them. No lectures, no negotiations, no five-minute TED Talks. ✔ Praise good nights: A sticker chart or a simple “You did awesome last night!” can reinforce the habit.
🛑 Avoid: Giving in “just this once.” They will remember. Forever.
Final Thoughts: REST and Recharge
By ensuring that you and your child get REST, you’re equipping your children with the tools they need for a successful sleep routine, giving yourself the gift of some much-needed downtime.
Have you tried this method? Got your own hilarious bedtime battle stories? Drop them in the comments below! And if you need more parenting survival hacks, check out our other blog posts—because tired parents need all the help they can get.
Happy sleeping (hopefully)!