A mother has shared a 'genius' method she uses when her children refuse to go to bed, claiming it 'works like a charm'. Chelsea Jo, who posts on Instagram as @sunny_acres_regen_farm, revealed the tactic she and her husband employ to get their stubborn children to sleep with minimal fuss.
In a video, she explained: 'Kids don't want to go to sleep? My husband's new rule: The girls can stay up as late as they want... but they have to run the whole time.' The footage showed their two daughters running around the living room in pyjamas, one clutching a cuddly toy.
Other parents shared their own tactics in the comments. One said: 'We used to do this but with cleaning. Oh we just stay up cleaning after you go to bed so they had to join in with that, did not take long.' Another added: 'Our house rule is you don't have to go to sleep if you're reading. So my 8 year old is now reading 6th grade reading level because he likes thinking that he's getting away with staying up after bedtime. Win/win.'
The NHS offers six recommendations for parents of children under five struggling with sleep. These include a calm, predictable bedtime routine at the same time each evening, offering a bowl of cereal and milk if the child is hungry, using a nightlight if they fear the dark, and avoiding screens for 30 to 60 minutes before bed.
