As Sleep Awareness Week (March 8–14) shines a spotlight on the importance of rest, many families are realizing just how hard quality sleep can be to come by.
Amid busy schedules, late-night scrolling and kids who suddenly get a burst of energy right at bedtime, winding down can feel like a nightly challenge.
The good news: a few small shifts, both in your bedtime habits and your sleep environment, can make a big difference.
Keep reading for tips and products to help your kids (and you) get some much needed rest.
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One unexpected tip for parents is the “reverse bedtime” reset. When kids seem wired at night, it may actually be a sign they’re overtired. Moving bedtime earlier by 20 to 30 minutes for a few nights can help reset their internal clock and prevent that second wind.
For parents, swapping late-night screen time for a simple 10-minute wind-down ritual, like reading under a soft lamp or using calming magnesium lotion, can help signal to your brain that it’s time to rest.
Sleep experts also say your bedroom environment plays a huge role in how well you sleep. Lowering the room temperature slightly, adding blackout curtains and using calming sound machines can sometimes support deeper sleep cycles.
Before bed, have your child write or draw one worry and then place it inside a special bedtime book or journal that lives on their nightstand.
The idea is that the worry has a place to go, instead of spinning in their mind while they’re trying to fall asleep.
