All They Need Is A Cuddle

It's been a long day and your little ones are finally in bed and you are looking forward to drinking a cup of tea or coffee and putting your feet up. Then you hear "Mummy!" Inwardly (or audibly), you let out a groan and wonder 'What in the world do they want now?'. Our little ones have asked to be tucked in to their beds tighter, they need a drink, they need to go to the toilet, you name it, they have probably said it.

This happened to me on a nightly basis. I dreaded bedtime and didn't look forward to re-settling the kids to bed and going through the whole "Goodnight, sleep tight" process at least three times. After weeks of this happening in our household, I was frustrated, grumpy, tired, but mostly at a loss as to what to do to help the kids be content and go to sleep. I thought of all the things that could be "wrong" and tried to think of new ways to change our night time routine so my kids could just go to sleep first time.

And then, one night, it hit me! I realized that every time the kids kept getting out of bed and calling for me, the first thing that they asked for was...cuddles.

Once I figured out that that was all my little ones wanted, I made sure I gave each of them my full attention and to give them a big cuddle and kiss before tucking them in. And once I started doing this...Voila! My little bubs were happy and went to sleep without fuss.

It was that simple. A cuddle.

As adults/mothers, I guess we overthink situations when the solutions to some of our child/ren's needs are just as simple as a hug. Children just need to feel loved, to feel that they are important and that they have your full attention.

During the busyness of getting dinner ready, bathing the kids, brushing their teeth, etc. I was so looking forward to sitting down and relaxing that I neglected to give my kids a cuddle and a kiss before tucking them in to their beds and didn't give them the attention that they needed so they came up with every excuse under the sun to get my attention and have me in the room with them.

Suffice to say, we still have nights where my kids keep getting out of bed and calling for me, but when I remind myself to be present with them and listen to what they are telling me, it doesn't escalate and they fall asleep a lot quicker than a couple of months ago.

So if you're in the same boat as me...give this a try...give your kids a hug and really listen to what they are saying. Who knows? Your evenings may just be a bit more settled and you can finally have that cup of tea and put your feet up.

Please comment below on what reasons your kids say as to why they keep getting out of bed - I'm sure there will be lost in common!

Talk soon xo

B