"I forgot my teddy."
"I need my blanky."
"I need to go to the toilet."
"I need a drink."
"My finger hurts."
"I can't sleep."
I confess I have one of these children. Once I tuck my children in I view this as my time. I don't want them continually coming out and interrupting my time.
My way to getting my children to stay in bed is threatening to take their teddy or blanket or other precious item away. "If you come out again I'll take it off you." If they do come out and I take it away I tell them they'll have it back if they stay in bed and I'll go in later and return the item.
Recently my youngest child kept getting out of bed and playing in the bedroom instead of sleeping. I'd go in and find them among Lego building and playing. They had this cartoon they'd drawn, were really proud of and I told them, "If you get out of bed one more time I'll rip your picture." They did get out again and I grabbed the pictured and began ripping a corner of it slowly; not really intent on damaging the picture. Hoping this was enough to make my child panic and stay in bed. It worked, as I knew it would and for the next couple of weeks they were staying in bed.
Find that bargaining tool. Every child has one and it can be different for each child and change from time to time. Keep searching until you discover what your child's is: maybe it's their pocket money, their iPad, their Lego, their favourtie teddy, no dessert... Once you've found it use that to your advantage to help with getting your children to do as you ask because it is important to get your child in bed early so you can have You Time.
