Toddler Solutions
from a nurse mom
When your schedule changes every week, “bedtime is at 7:30” falls apart fast. What toddlers actually hold onto is sequence: the same steps, in the same order, every night.
Our five steps
- Bath, or a quick wipe-down on lazy nights
- Pajamas and teeth
- Two books (the number never changes)
- Lights off, one song
- Same goodnight phrase, then out
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Why it works on shift weeks
Whoever is home runs the same five steps. My kid doesn’t care if it’s me or someone else. He cares that the second book is followed by lights off, because that’s how it always goes.
How much sleep they need
Sleep experts generally recommend 11 to 14 hours total for 1 to 2 year olds and 10 to 13 hours for 3 to 5 year olds, naps included. If your kid is way under that and melting down every afternoon, look at sleep before you look at behavior.
Make it visual
Picture cards on the wall let your toddler “check” what comes next. That means fewer negotiations and more “look, it’s book time.”
Want the picture cards? My Toddler Bedtime Routine Chart + 5-Night Reset Tracker has six cut-apart picture steps, a weekly check-off chart, calm scripts for stalling, and Sweet Dreams Star awards.
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