TresSugar

Your Child's Bedtime - Only Better

LilSugar — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:16:33 PDT

If you and your lil one struggle with bedtime, rest assured that you're not the only ones. Here, eight great ways to make bedtime at least a little bit better for the whole family. Sweet dreams!

Spring Forward With an Extra Hour of Daylight This Weekend

LilSugar — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 04:15:51 PDT

Time to change those clocks again - this morning, at 2:00 a.m., daylight saving time began. If you're in the US (with the exception of Hawaii and Arizona), that means you'll move your clocks ahead one hour. And while losing an hour of sleep is never fun, gaining an extra hour of light at the end of the day is a welcome change. Here, five ways to help your kids adjust to daylight saving tTime (and enjoy their extra hour of playtime!)

Explain What's Happening: The reason daylight saving always falls on a Sunday is to give us a day to adjust to the time change on the weekend, as opposed to during the busy school/work week. Explain to them why they may feel more tired than usual, but be sure to take advantage of the extra hour at the end of the day. Invite them to join you on a tour of your home as you adjust all of your clocks. Be sure to double-check that computers and cell phones have changed automatically.
Explain Why It's Happening: According to Discovery News, Benjamin Franklin was among the first to suggest the concept of daylight saving back in 1784 (he thought it would be a good way to save on candles). In more recent years, changing the clocks has proven to save on electric usage across the country, and has even led to a decrease in car crashes.
Enjoy Some Extra Outdoor Play: Depending on where you live, it may or may not feel like Spring. Regardless, take advantage of the sunlight and encourage your kiddos to play outdoors before or after dinner (even if it means having to bundle up!)
Take a Family Walk: Working parents are often especially appreciative of the extra hour of daylight, as it offers a great opportunity to spend some extra time together as a family. Enjoy a walk around your neighborhood before the sun goes down.
Hit the Books: If the time change means that your kids aren't tired at their normal bedtime, wind down the day with an extra 15-30 minutes of story time before bed.

Signs You Need to Change Your Bedtime

Leta Shy — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:04:03 PDT

Even when you know you should be going to bed sooner, life gets in the way. Whether it's a busy schedule that doesn't leave you with enough hours in the day or the need to relax in front of the TV before you grab some shut-eye, you may not be able to force yourself to get to bed when the yawning starts.

If you're tired of paying the consequences of a late bedtime the next day, here are some reasons to remind yourself why it may be time for you to call it a night earlier.

You rely on your snooze button. Your internal clock may not be set for 6 a.m. jogs, but if you find yourself having too much trouble getting out of bed - hitting the snooze button over and over, for example - try getting to sleep earlier. After all, snoozing won't help you feel refreshed since fragmented sleep doesn't make up for sleep deficits.

You need a nap during the day. We can't always just curl up in a ball when we want to, but if you're constantly fighting the urge to snooze come afternoon, you're probably not getting enough sleep - or at least not enough sleep that counts.

Read on for more signs you're going to sleep too late.

Planning a Back-to-School Bedtime Routine

Anna Monette Roberts — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 05:10:37 PDT

The Summer is winding down, and while you may have been lax about a bedtime routine during vacation and Summer camp, it's important to reestablish a strict bedtime routine to help your kids develop a stable internal clock. Most kids need between 10-12 hours of sleep. Set a strict bedtime for your kids, and save enough time beforehand to help them wind down. Share with us what helps you get your kids to bed. Read more for our mock-up bedtime schedule.

How Strict Are You With Bedtime?

LilSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:00:52 PDT

Good night, sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite! If only getting lil ones down to dreamland was that easy! Children have a way of pushing their bedtime to the limits by thirsting for another drink, saying they need the bathroom and sweetly asking us to read "just one more book."

New research shows that providing tots with strict bedtimes can improve the quality and quantity of the shut-eye they receive and their overall health. According to the study, families with lower levels of income and education were less likely to enforce a strict end of the day (this was attributed to stress levels and fewer routines), and their children's health and sleep patterns suffered. The authors of the study also emphasized the importance of a nightly bedtime routine to help the tots fall asleep faster. Most parents dream their children would nod off to sleep without putting up a fight, but that rarely happens. How do you enforce bedtime in your home?

Got a few pointers you've picked up along the way for getting your tot into bed at an early time? Join our Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? group over in our LilSugar community and share your tips!

Lil Tip: Sing Your Children to Sleep

LilSugar — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:00:00 PDT

When it comes to my singing, I've got a couple of fans. My son and daughter don't mind that my vocals are off tune, in fact, my tunes help them sleep. If your tot has trouble transitioning from bathtub to bedtime, try breaking out in song. Turn this into a fun activity by having them help you with the lyrics. Once you perfect the tune specific to the child, sing or hum it to soothe them.
Source

Foul-Mouthed Chihuahua Ain't Having Bedtime

GiggleSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:00:00 PDT

Little Elvis here is happy just where he is, all curled up with his fave blankie. But when his doting owner marches into the room to announce that it's time to get up and go to bed, this hound dog's mood takes a turn for the nasty. Oh. No. She. Di'int . . .

Little Girl Questions the Fairytale Ending

GiggleSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:00:00 PDT

Drop Dead Fred, a wickedly immature comedy about maintaining imaginary friends into adulthood and blaming "them" for one's obscene behavior, was one of my fave movies in the early '90s - naturally. The irreverent tyke in the following scene portrays the protagonist as a young girl. Her response to her mother's lame-ass bedtime story is quite possibly the best advice any growing girl (or grown woman) could ever hear. Listen. Very. Carefully.

Dad Wigs Out Getting Baby to Bed

GiggleSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:00:00 PST

Nursery rhymes? Nah. Hugs and kisses? Whatevs. It's his crib and he'll cry if he wants to. This baby's not ready for bed- unless dear old Dad dresses in drag. No joke.

Pet Present Extravaganza: Puppy's Bedtime Basket

PetSugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 07:00:46 PST

I'm a sucker for a theme. I'll theme my happy hours, my outfits, and, especially, my gifts. I love thinking of unique presents that are catered to each friend and family member... and nothing is more creative than planning (and presenting) themed bundles.

For our first Pet Present Extravaganza basket, my theme is sleepytime puppy! Serving as our "basket" in this case is a too cute bassinet – the inside is perfect for stocking with new puppy gear, and the handles make carrying it in super easy! Want to see what I would put inside,