Children Parents Bedtime Fall Asleep Bed Putting Families

Many American families have bedtime "rituals" (things that are done the same way every time) for their children. These rituals not only help children do all the things they need to do before going to bed, but also help them "calm down" (become quiet) at the end of the day so that they can "fall asleep" (begin to sleep) more easily.

Bedtime rituals usually begin in the bathroom, where children use the toilet, brush their teeth, and wash their face and hands. Parents help young children do these things, and often watch older children do them by themselves. Next, children change into their pajamas.

Once these things are finished, the children get into bed and the parents "tuck" (fold fabric around something) the blankets around them. Often they tuck in the child's favorite "stuffed animal" (a soft toy in the shape of an animal), too. Then they often spend time talking together.

Parents of young children usually read a bedtime story, pointing to the pictures and using a soft voice until the children fall asleep. Parents often ask older children to tell them about their day at school. Some religious families pray together before falling asleep. Parents often give their children a kiss on the "forehead" (the skin above one's eyes and below one's hair) before they fall asleep.

Even with these bedtime rituals, children often do not want to fall asleep and try to "stall" (do something to cause a delay and make something happen later than it normally would). These children often ask their parents for a glass of water, or say that they have to go to the bathroom again before they can fall asleep.