Tips and Tricks for Easy Mealtimes and Bedtimes

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Tips and Tricks for Easy Mealtimes and Bedtimes

• By
• Tien Nguyen
• Margie Martinez
• Jennifer Rackley

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At some point or another most parents have
experienced the change that occurs in their child
when it is time to eat. The little angel turns
into the mealtime monster. Using a mantra such
as I dont like that!, they demand their
favorite food and refuse to eat until they get it.
If you havent encountered that problem, or if
you have, you are more than likely a veteran of
bedtime wars. It happens at the end of the day,
when your household is settling down for the
evening, that your child unexpectedly turns into
a special forces commando, charging around the
house and screaming I dont want to go to bed!
at the top of their lungs.
Believe us when we say we feel your pain. So we
have compiled some of our favorite tips and
tricks to assist you in getting your little
angel to eat, and to restore peace in the
bedtime war zone.
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MEALTIME TIPS

• Establish regular meal and snack times, with
  enough time in between to allow your child to get
  hungry. Smaller children sometimes prefer to eat
  several small meals throughout the day, a pattern
  known as grazing.
• Do not pacify an upset child with food. This
  response often overlooks what the child is really
  upset about as well as interferes with mealtimes.
• Remember to serve child sized portions, and only
  give more if your child asks for it.
• Make sure your child is getting enough exercise.
  A child who plays hard will likely eat more to
  keep up their energy.

• Allow your child to assist in the meal
• planning and preparation. They will be more
• inclined to eat what they helped to cook.

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MEALTIME TRICKS

• If your child has a sweet tooth, try offering
  fresh or dried fruits instead of dessert treats.
  Remember, if you dont buy it they cant eat it.
• If your child has a favorite food and insists on
  eating that food every day, let them. Serve with
  it whatever food groups are missing from their
  favorite food, to balance the nutrition.
• If your child wont eat vegetables, try
  disguising them in other foods. Finely chopped,
  most children wont be able to spot them.
• Try, try again. There are lots of varieties of
  fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates and proteins.
  You might go through them all, but chances are
  your child will like at least one of them.

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BEDTIME TIPS

• Establish a bedtime routine. This can include all
  of those things children would normally do to get
  ready for bed, and then finish up in their
  bedroom.
• Allow children time to finish an activity before
  getting ready for bed. Offer a reminder and a
  time limit so they are not surprised.
• Observe when your child gets tired to create a
  consistent bedtime.
• Do not allow your child to consume caffeinated
  snacks or drinks at least two hours prior to
  bedtime.
• Make sure to spend quality time with your child
  prior to bedtime. They will sleep easier knowing
  they got your attention.

• Make sure your child is comfortable. This
• means that they are dressed for the weather,
• they have their favorite bedtime toys and the
  
• room is quiet.

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BEDTIME TRICKS

• Have bedtime music, or white noise, to play. This
  can signal your child that its time to go to
  sleep.
• Read or tell your child a story. They can already
  be in bed, and then, when the story is done, its
  a simple lights out.
• If your child is afraid of the dark, keep a night
  light or hall light on to reassure them.
• Give your child a relaxing massage to help calm
  them down.
• Make bedtime a game. The best way to get your
  child to do something they dont want to do is to
  have fun.

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WEBLIOGRAPHY

• For more information check out our excellent
  sources.
• www.parentsoup.com
• www.head-start.lane.or.us/health/nutrition/informa
  tion/picky-eaters.html
• www.parentsuccess.com/bedtime.php3
• www.pbs.org/parents/fungames/bedtime_tips.html
• http//familyfun.go.com/parenting/baby/care/featur
  e/dony0901ptsleep_tips/