If baby ain’t sleeping, ain’t nobody sleeping. To set the whole family up for a better night’s rest, implement a bedtime routine. A consistent routine is soothing and helps your child understand what’s coming next. Read on for tips on how to create a calming daily ritual that will send baby to bed without all the fuss(iness).
A consistent bedtime routine signals to your baby’s brain that it’s time to go to sleep. The predictable pattern and timing can ease your baby into a calm state that allows them to fall asleep more easily. It’s great bonding time and may even help with the sleep regressions that are a normal part of baby development. Once you’ve established a routine, it can also help other people put baby down when you won’t be there for bedtime.
What Age to Start
A good age to start is once your baby begins to show a pattern of sleeping and wakefulness. This can occur as early as 6 to 8 weeks old and as late as 4 months of age. Before 6 weeks, it’s not likely that your newborn will have any kind of established sleep schedule for a set bedtime. If you’ve missed these windows, it’s beneficial for a baby of any age to have a bedtime routine, so get started now.
The first thing you want to consider when picking a bedtime is baby’s schedule. Look for signs of sleepiness, like fussiness, yawning and sucking on fingers or a pacifier. Notice what time these signs appear and figure on beginning your routine 30 to 60 minutes before that so baby doesn’t get overtired during the routine. You’ll also want to consider your family’s schedule, taking into account when everyone is home from work or school and when you typically eat dinner. Generally, that means starting between 6 and 8 p.m.
Consistency Is Key
The best bedtime routines are short, simple and most of all consistent, lasting from between 20 minutes to an hour at the most. The most important thing is to make it a true routine, so that it’s the same every night and occurs at the same time. Ideally, it’ll happen in the same location as well, like in the room with baby’s crib. If you expect to have differences in sleep locations, make sure whatever you include in the routine can travel with you.
What to Include
Keep it simple and relaxing. You can include a bath if baby gets one every night. Next, a massage with lotion—like Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Lotion—and then a fresh diaper, pajamas, and a swaddle or wearable blanket. Cuddle your little one while you sing a quiet song or look at a short book. Dim the lights to continue the calming vibe. Nursing or bottle feeding is helpful for lasting fullness before bed. Any quiet activity that gets baby ready for bed and relaxes them works, as long as it doesn’t put them fully to sleep.
You’ll want to put your child to bed drowsy but not asleep. That will give them the chance to learn how to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own. Ambient noise can help with this as well as drown out any other household noises while they settle down. Try the Sleep Sheep from Cloud B that attaches directly to the crib. You can give them a gentle rub before quietly slipping out of the room.
You may need to tweak your timing and activities until you get into a good groove, but avoid big changes at first to let your little one get used to the routine. It’s also likely that adjustments will need to be made as your infant grows and develops. Any change in the daytime or non-bedtime night activities, like eliminating a nap or dropping a feeding, may call for a change in the bedtime routine. If baby seems fussy, it may signal that it’s time to move bedtime earlier. A true routine takes time to work, but with consistency and little persistence, it should pay off with better sleep for baby and you.
You can find some gorgeous campsites from Big Sur to Mendocino
Want to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean and fall asleep to the soothing sound of crashing waves with a beach camping trip? Thankfully we don’t have to go far to check off all those glorious camping boxes. The best part (besides the soothing sound and Instagram-worthy snaps): camping at one of these close-to-home spots is full of outdoor adventures where kids will be too busy playing in the ocean, flying kites, toasting s’mores, and exploring tidepools to ask for screen time…maybe.
Sunset State Beach: This campsite has a beach on one side and miles and miles of strawberry fields on the other. It has 90 sites for car camping, some able to accommodate RVs up to 30 feet in length (no hook-ups). The shade is minimal in some of the sites so bring a pop-up sunshade for the afternoon. The beach is just a short walk away (down about 100 steps) or if you are lugging lots of beach gear, you can drive your car, from your campsite, and park in the lot below. Good to know: Campsites are pretty close together and don’t offer a ton of privacy.
Manresa State Beach: Manresa is smaller than its neighboring state beach campgrounds with only 64 sites. All the sites here are walk-in which means you can park in the unloading zone to get your gear to your site but then you need to move your car to the upper lot for the remainder of your stay. Pro Tip: Bring a folding wagon for your gear to help transport it but it’s fully worth the effort—the campsites are on a bluff overlooking the ocean. As with any beach campsite, the temperature dips at night and it can be very chilly in the mornings until the fog burns off so make sure you wear layers and bundle the kids up at nighttime.
New Brighton State Beach: New Brighton is between Manresa and downtown Capitola. This campground offers 109 campsites including nine premium sites that overlook the ocean. Ten sites include RV hook-ups and they even have one bike and hike campsite that’s reserved for those who arrive via their own two legs. Paths lead you down to the beach or you can walk along the train tracks to get to downtown Capitola if you need to run to Village Creamery for a scoop of mint chip ice cream. Shade is sparse in some of the sites and make sure you bring quarters for the showers.
Plaskett Creek Campground: With the road to Big Sur open, Plaskett Creek is the spot to go. The campground is small and draws surfers, families, and those with a chill vibe. To access the beach, you need to walk about 10 minutes and down some stairs but the payoff is you get to spend the day at the pristine Sand Dollar Beach. Head to the bluffs at sunset for some gorgeous views. Because this is a National Park site, you can book up to a year in advance.
Kirk Creek Campground: Located within Los Padres National Forest, this campground sits on a bluff 100 feet above the ocean with 33 single-family sites for tent and RV camping (no utility hook-ups). Each site enjoys a fantastic view of the water and is equipped with a table and campfire ring with a grill. Vault toilets are provided throughout the campground but there are no showers or running water. There’s a trail to the beach (watch for poison oak) and hiking along the Vicente Trail nearby. Good to know: You can book sites here up to six months in advance.
Limekiln State Park: Ocean Camp is a few steps from the beach at Limekiln State Park in Big Sur. With just 12 camping spots, most located right next to the creek, Ocean Camp is typically booked out months in advance. The beach is accessed by walking along a sandy path leading under a bridge. Although not directly on the beach, the campsites are somewhat sheltered from the wind, which makes it easier to sleep, especially if you’re tent camping. RVs and trailers are permitted at this campground but don’t expect any electrical hook-ups. The bathroom block has showers and each site has a fire ring with grill plus a picnic table.
Half Moon Bay State Beach: 52 campsites sit just steps from the sandy beach that makes up Half Moon Bay State Beach. The benefit of this campground is definitely its proximity to the sand and you only have to lug the gear a short distance to set up shop for a day in the California sun. Need provisions or don’t feel like cooking? Downtown Half Moon Bay is just a short walk away (we recommend the sandwiches at the San Benito Deli—massive and delicious). Coin-operated hot showers are available if you need to hose the sand off the kids before bed.
Anchor Bay Campground: Head north to Mendocino County and you will be rewarded by the beauty of this small, six-acre, privately-owned campground. It lies in a narrow gulch filled with native redwood trees and other coastal flora and has been a family-friendly destination of choice since 1925. The campground’s 27 sites include four in the redwoods with the rest sprinkled along the beach. Each camp spot has a water hook up, picnic table and fire pit. A short trail from the campground takes you into the small town where you can get coffee and pastries from White Cap.
Kirby Cove Campground: Just eight miles north of downtown San Francisco, Kirby Cove is a camping destination that is popular with city families who want to experience camping without the long drive into the mountains. Four campsites are available and campers can enjoy the nearby coarse sand beach and views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fog is prevalent so make sure you bring clothes that you can layer during cooler times of the day. Campers must provide their own water and foghorns may disturb your sleep (so pack the earplugs).
Point Reyes National Seashore: North of the Golden Gate Bridge is the rugged peninsula of Point Reyes National Seashore. There are two primitive hike-in campgrounds close to the ocean where adventurous families can get away from it all. These backcountry camps both require a permit.
Coast Campground is nestled within a small grassy valley, a short walk from the beach. There is no parking at the campsite itself, so you will need to haul everything from the Laguna trailhead 1.8 miles away. There are 12 regular sites and two group sites, with a vault toilet. Although the campsite has a water faucet, there is no guarantee it will be running, so bring your own water to be safe.
Wildcat Campground overlooks the ocean with a short walk to the beach, but there’s a 6.3-mile hike from Bear Valley Trailhead or a 5.5-mile hike from the Palomarin Trailhead. Again, you’ll find vault toilets and a faucet but little else.
Sonoma Coast State Park: Two separate campgrounds make up Sonoma Coast—25 sites at Wright’s Beach and 98 sites at Bodega Dunes. Beach access is easier from Wright’s Beach but both offer paths to the water where you might spot some whales if you are lucky. You may hear foghorns throughout the night so keep that in mind for light sleepers. Hot showers and flush toilets are available.
Have a date in mind when you want to book? Find out when the campsite reservations open up for that date and be ready to book as soon as they do. Sites gets nabbed within minutes.
Didn’t get your act together in time? Set up an alert for openings on the website. They often come through closer to your date as people cancel.
Got a large group that wants to camp together? Take a look at a group campsite instead of trying to get multiple sites near each other for the same dates.
Sign up for a site like Wandering Labs that will alert you by text when a site opens up. Note: you still need to be ready to act immediately when this happens as they will not last long!
We all remember what it felt like to be a sleepy teenager—the alarm always seemed to go off too early, and it could take hours to shake off the sleepiness that lingered through the first few class periods of the day.
Though some parents might be quick to write their teens off as lazy, this sleepiness isn’t their fault. It actually can often stem from early school start times for many who struggle. While adults might be well-suited for earlier wake-up calls, teenagers’ circadian rhythms—the light-mediated internal cues that help regulate sleep—are wired in a way that leaves teenagers sleepy in the morning and more awake at night. This is perfectly normal; our circadian rhythm changes throughout our lives, and unfortunately, school schedules just aren’t planned around ensuring our teens get the sleep they need.
In fact, teenagers’ body clocks are best synced to bedtimes around 11 p.m. or midnight, with a wakeup time around nine hours later. With some schools starting classes as early as 7:30 in the morning, and students needing time to get ready and get to school, it’s no wonder teens are so sleepy.
From a sleep perspective, teenagers would benefit most from school start times that begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m. This shift would mitigate the dreadful side effects of sleep deprivation teenagers face and overall improve teenagers’ mental and physical health.
States that have tested later school start times have seen promising results. A 2020 JAMA study followed five school districts in Minnesota from 2016 to 2019. In 2016, all five schools followed a baseline start time of 7:30 a.m., but between 2017 and 2019, two schools pushed their start times back by 55 minutes or a full hour, while three continued operating with early start times. At the end of the study, the researchers found that the kids who started school later got an average of 43 more minutes of sleep per night than their early-bird counterparts.
Further evidence suggests it can lead to improved academic outcomes. Plus, another 2020 study found an association between later school start times and a decrease in teen driving accidents.
The concept might be catching on nationwide. Beginning in July 2022, California became the first to mandate that middle and high schools can start no earlier than 8 or 8:30 a.m., respectively, and New Jersey, Alaska, New York, and Tennessee have all considered following suit.
The idea is also gaining support among teachers, who see first-hand the repercussions lack of sleep can have on teens. “About half of my middle school kids can barely stay awake the first two periods of the day,” teacher Melissa Rowe told Sleepopolis in a June interview. “As for high school, I literally have students who fall asleep on the floor in my classroom.”
Of course, every middle and high school across the country isn’t going to be able to make this shift overnight. Luckily, there are some ways parents can help their teenagers get the best night’s sleep they can. If you think your teenager is sleep deprived, try these tips to get them back on track:
Encourage proper sleep hygiene as often as possible.
Set a regular bedtime and rise time, including on weekends to maintain a schedule.
Dim both room and electronic lighting to reduce exposure to bright lights before bed.
Encourage sleepiness.
Consider eliminating technology use after a certain time before bed, and remove it from the bedroom.
It’s important to remember that teenagers should never be forced to choose between sleep and something else. Teens often find themselves in the position of choosing between sleep, sports, and homework, and doing all three can seem impossible. Keep an open dialogue and help them balance the workload coming their way without sacrificing sleep. Think about where overscheduling is an issue and where you can cut back to allow enough time for sleep.
Sleep is vital to a teenager’s health and happiness. Early start times are a real obstacle to adequate rest for teenagers and their differently wired circadian rhythms, but there are roadblocks that parents, health care providers, school administrators, and educators could overcome if we all worked together. And for the sake of our teens’ health, it’s imperative that we give it a try.
Dr. Shelby Harris is the Director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis. As a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine, she treats a wide variety of sleep disorders, including insomnia, nightmares, and narcolepsy, with a focus on non-pharmacological interventions. She is board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the author of The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia: Get a Good Night’s Sleep Without Relying on Medication.
Top jet lag prevention tip: try not to stress about it too much
You’ve packed. You’ve planned. You’ve crossed your fingers for no delays, cancellations, lost luggage, fevers, tantrums, accidents, earaches, or upset tummies.
But what about jet lag? Is there any way to prevent its trademark exhaustion from turning your otherwise cheerful jet-setter into a crabby, irritable mess?
“Exploring the world is fun, but having a cranky toddler dealing with jet lag isn’t,” sleep medicine physician and pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown said in an article on her website, Restful Sleep MD. “Toddlers and older kids tend to have a more challenging time as they adjust to the different time zones. While these adjustments only take a few days, they could be the longest days of your and your child’s travel experience.”
So what’s a globetrotting parent to do? From what time to fly and what to bring on board to what sorts of things to schedule on the first day of your trip, here are a few expert tips for helping your kids (and you!) beat jet lag fast.
First of all: What is Jet Lag—And Why Does it Happen?
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It’s not just because you didn’t sleep on the plane (though that doesn’t help). Jet lag happens when our body’s natural circadian rhythm gets mixed up by crossing multiple time zones. Basically: Your brain thinks it’s in one time zone (home); your body is in another (vacation). Not surprisingly, the more time zones you cross, the worse the jet lag.
Note: Jet lag does not occur on north-south flights that do not cross multiple time zones, according to The Sleep Foundation.
“When you travel across time zones, that internal clock is still in sync with your original time zone and out of sync with the new time zone,” Afolabi-Brown said in the article.
Symptoms of jet lag include exhaustion, brain fog irritability, headaches, and digestive upset (especially in children). And, depending on how you acclimate (and whether you follow the steps below), experts say it can take one day to adjust for every time zone crossed—though you likely won’t have all the symptoms for this long.
Does it happen for babies? Yes! According to the Pediatric Sleep Council, babies are just as likely to experience jet lag as adults, though it may be less noticeable for babies under 6 months who don’t have a regular sleep schedule.
Tips to Prevent Jet Lag—Before Your Flight
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1. Stay hydrated: Dehydration can make jet lag worse, so make sure your kids drink plenty of water (or formula/breast milk/etc.) before, during, and after a long flight. Caffeinated beverages can also contribute to dehydration, so if you’ve got older kids who like Coke or other caffeinated drinks, try to encourage them to choose non-caffeinated pop instead.
“I always try to make this fun for my kids. We make Kool-Aid the day before and we make sure to drink it all,” a mom blogger wrote on Jet Lagged Mama. “Then during the trip, we always let them pick out fun drinks either at gas stations or sometimes I will pack a few fun drinks in my carry-on.”
Note for parents: While you might want to drink a glass of wine to ease your nerves before and during a flight, alcohol can also make jet lag worse—so try to say no.
2. Prep for your destined time zone: If you know your destination is a few hours behind, don’t stress when your kids aren’t asleep at 11 p.m. as it’ll actually help them! Similarly, if you’re traveling to a place where it’s later than your home time zone, try to move your kids’ bedtime earlier as you get nearer to takeoff. (This is easier said than done, we know. So don’t stress!)
1. Pick your flight wisely. While some parents avoid red-eye flights (especially with younger children who may keep the whole cabin awake when they can’t sleep), many prefer to fly the night away because kids simply fall asleep better when they know it’s dark outside. Depending on when you’ll land, it’s good for your kids to sleep at least a little bit on the plane.
That said, if you know you’ll be landing at nighttime, you don’t want your kid to get a full night’s slumber on the airplane. To keep them from sleeping too much, pack games and “presents” for them to open to keep them entertained (this way they’ll be able to sleep when you get there). This is one of those times when screen time is your friend since blue light actually inhibits melatonin production and will help your kids stay awake longer.
2. Choose a flight that arrives in the daytime—and stay awake when. you get there! Getting to your destination during the day means you’re more likely to jump right into the new schedule. (Hint: Don’t take a nap when you get to your hotel!). Stay awake and relatively active when you arrive so that, by evening, your kids will be so pooped they’ll practically put themselves to bed.
“We typically take red eyes and then try to plan an activity close to when we land so it forces us to stay awake through the excitement of the activity,” said family travel Vlogger Trevi O’Neil from The Adventure Buddies. “Versus getting to your destination and then looking to sleep right away.”
3. If you have. a baby (and want them to sleep), get a bassinet seat. Sure, holding your baby while they sleep will do the trick, but if you want to catch some Zzzs yourself, it helps to have a place to put your little one. Many long-haul or international flights offer travel bassinets that clip into the wall of the bulkhead seats. The rules vary by airline, but most bassinets are only available for infants under the age of one and less than 25 pounds. For details on where your chosen airline stands, check out this comprehensive list of bassinet seats on 50+ airlines.
4. Pack these things: Even if you’ve got a like-clockwork sort of sleeper, getting kids to knock out on planes can be tough. So arm yourself with all the sleep-inducing extras you can fit in your carry-on. This could include:
Your child’s favorite blanket, pillow, and stuffie
Pajames (at least two sets, if you’re worried about accidents)
A mask to block out light (if your child will keep it on)
For babies in car seats: A cover or light blanket to block out light
For smaller children: This inflatable cushion which allows kids to put their feet up or lay flat in the seat (if allowed by your airline).
1. Follow the Light: One of the key strategies for helping kids beat jetlag is adjusting their exposure to light and dark, according to Kelly Murra, a certified pediatric and adult sleep consultant based in Los Angeles. “Light plays a crucial role in regulating our internal body clock,” Murra said. “When we travel across time zones, our body clock gets all confused, and that’s when jetlag kicks in.”
So use light to your advantage! If you arrive in the daytime, expose your child to natural light to help signal to the body that it’s daytime.”Encourage them to go outside, play in the sunlight, or simply have a stroll in a nearby park,” Murra said.
Then, when you wake up the next morning, get them some sunlight as soon as possible. For example, take a family walk, go to a playground, or push your baby around in the stroller.
“This will signal to their body that it is the new wake-up time by triggering the production of cortisol, the alert hormone, as well as program their body to produce melatonin, the sleepy hormone, earlier than it normally would,” according to Murra.
2. Limit the lights at nighttime: While getting your kids some sun helps acclimate them to daytime; when it’s nighttime in the new time zone, you want to do the opposite. Murra suggests limiting your kids’ exposure to bright lights in the evening, especially from screens like phones, tablets, or TVs. Turn off overhead lights and use lamps instead to create a softer light.
“Create a calming and dim environment, mimicking nighttime conditions,” she said. “This helps trigger the release of melatonin, a hormone that encourages sleep.
3. Stay awake! Sure, the first thing you’ll want to do when you arrive is lay down flat for a long nap. But… Resist! Afolabi-Brown advises not letting kids sleep more than two hours during the day for the first few days of your trip. Remember: You want them to be tired at nighttime. (Pssst: Same goes for you!).
“The faster you get your sleep aligned with the new time zone, the faster you will get over your jet lag,” Jet Lagged Mama blogger said in this article. “So staying awake on your first day is extremely important.”
4. Keep kids moving (until bedtime): During the first two days, try to keep things busy so that kids are revved up until bedtime. Sure, there may be a few meltdowns, but if you stick it out, you’ll kick jet lag to the curb way faster. At least, that’s according to veteran traveler Katie Dillon, a writer who has flown across oceans with her daughter since she was 6 weeks old.
“If you can sleep through the night on nights one and two after flying overseas, the remaining nights will typically be easy peasy,” Dillon said on her website, LaJollamom.com. “Be strategic about how you keep them awake, and they’ll never know what you’re up to. It’s one of the best ways to ensure they don’t get jet lag, or it may last for just a night or two versus an entire week.”
5. Keep the activities mellow in the beginning: The first day of your trip should be considered a “buffer day.” So keep things light. You want to be busy—but don’t do the big stuff that you know will take a lot out of you (and your kids). Go to the park or playground. Take a walk. Play games together outside. Remember, exposing yourself to the sun helps your body adjust faster, so whatever you do—do it outside, if possible.
“Hopefully you do not plan to climb the Eiffel Tower or tour the Colosseum on the first day of your trip,” wrote this travel blogger. “Take the kids walking around the neighborhood, to a local park or square, something relaxing and low key. They need to be out in the sun exercising, and the more time you can spend outdoors in the bright light, the easier the adjustment to the new time zone will be for everyone.”
6. Eat like a local: Afolabi-Brown suggests adjusting your child’s meal times to the new destination as soon as you arrive. If your kids are begging for food outside of these times (like when you’re struggling to sleep at 2 a.m.), you can give them a small snack, but try to hold out until they can have a proper meal at the right time.
7. Exercise: According to research published In The Journal of Physiology, exercising at certain times of the day can potentially help treat jet lag. According to the study, exercising between 1 and 4 p.m. can potentially shift your circadian rhythm to an earlier schedule, which could help get your internal clock back to its happy place. So get your kids out and play!
8. Make Your Child’s “Vacation Room” Feel Like Home: Sleeping in a bed far, far away can be scary for kids. To make things feel more familiar, bring things from home that your child already associates with sleep. If you use a certain sound machine or night light, for instance (we love this Sleep Sheep and this Tranquil Whale music and light projector), bring those with you to make home-away-from-home feel just as cozy.
9. Try melatonin: While you should always check with your pediatricianbefore giving your child melatonin, it can help kids adjust to a drastically different sleep schedule, Afolabi-Brown said. It also helps to get kids (and their parents) back to sleep when they wake up in the middle of the night.
Don’t use adult-dose melatonin for kids. Try brands marketed for children containing 1 mg or less of melatonin as approved by your pediatrician.
What You Can Do to Prevent Jet Lag—When You Return
Vlada Karpovich/ Pexels
It’s inevitable: Just when you and your fam are finally feeling A-OK—You have energy! The kids are doing great! Vacation life is perfect!— It’ll be time to come home.
Cue the jet lag once again! But this time, you know the drill: Spend your days in the sun; keep things dim in the evening. Hydrate. Eat meals on time. Don’t nap. Sure, it’s a process, but if you follow these steps, you’ll be back to normal in a few days.
Depending on which way you’re flying, you may find jet lag easier or harder the second time around. Flying West? You may have an easier time, according to The Sleep Foundation, it’s easier to delay your internal clock than advance it.
“Like everything that comes with parenting, each child is different. Each situation is different,” Tavia Carlson wrote on her blog, Big Brave Nomad. “The best way to overcome jet lag is to take it one day at a time. It is temporary.”
And it’s worth it! Despite the sleep snafus, foggy mornings, and cranky moments, traveling not only brings families closer, but studies show it also makes kids smarter and more empathetic humans.
Our favorite kids alarm clocks will help kick morning battles to the curb
Whether it’s a school day or the weekend, having a solid morning routine for the kids is crucial. Help them start the day off right with their very own kids alarm clock! We found awesome time-telling devices including the viral Hatch Rest Gen 2 and a LEGO alarm clock. Pick your favorite and then check out these make-ahead breakfasts to keep the morning chaos to a minimum.
Recommended by Baby Gear Lab, this toddler clock has all the bells and whistles of a sleep-training alarm clock. There are five colors: Blue for BedTime, Yellow for WakeTime, Cyan for NapTime, Green for FunTime, and Red for Thinking Time/Timeout. The faceplate can be swapped out for another fun design (sold separately), it plays white noise, music and bedtime stories and has a weekend wake time, parental controls, and more!
With seven different colors, eight different ring tones, and an LED display, this is a great alarm clock for kids learning how to sleep alone. The colors can be used to help kids know when it's okay to get out of bed, and the ring tones can be used for sleep support when kids are trying to fall asleep at night.
The name says it all. This all-in-one device from Hatch is your sound machine, your night light, and your sleep training alarm clock, so it'll take you from a newborn to a toddler who needs to learn when it's okay to get up. There's a toddler lock and it works with the Hatch Baby app via Bluetooth, so you can adjust the sound level, length of the sound, the brightness of light and more, all from the living room while baby sleeps. It even grows with your little one, so it's perfect for all stages!
Expect swaddles, sleepsacks, light and sound sleep aids with this Gro Clock, which shows your kids awake and sleep times with displays of sun (to indicate awake time) and moon and stars (to indicate when it's time to sleep). The clock features an adjustable screen brightness and the option to set two different wake-up times: one for the weekday/weekend and the other for nighttime/naptime.
Preschoolers can now tell time…to the beat! With two learning modes, Tock the Learning Clock from Learning Resources chimes in with dance party tunes for every right answer and also prompts kids to match the hands to a digital display of the time. Extra perks include a nightlight and “okay to wake” light if you need to make sure dance parties don’t kick off too early.
We're not sure what we like more about this alarm clock. The fact that it's an adorable puppy dog, that it has a hidden compartment so your kid can't mess with the settings, or that it's got both wake-up and a nap timer, which is perfect for weekends or days home from preschool. Set the time for when you want the green ball to light up, and watch your kid go from a too-early riser to a right-on-time tot.
Using fun colors and facial expressions, this all-in-one clock from Little Hippo does it all: sleep trainer, nightlight, alarm clock and sound machine. Available in arctic blue, blush pink, bright purple and new color tropical teal.
A fun face and the option of switching between digital and analog are just a few of the reasons why your kids will enjoy having Telly the Time Telling clock on their bedside table. There's also a quiz mode that asks little ones to move the hands to the time requested, and a digital display lights up at night to keep kiddos company.
This best-seller helps teach young kids about when it's okay to get out of bed. The 4.5" bedside clock glows green when it's okay to get up, a snooze option, a nap timer and fun animations. It's a snap for parents to program and the new version comes with a USB cord for homes equipped with USB wall plugs.
These friendly robots not only give kids a lesson in telling time—old school style—but the bright colors and geometric design are an easy way to add a stylish feature to your little one’s abode. They are also ideal for light sleepers because the clock operates without the usual tick-tock sound.
A little magic never hurts when it comes to the morning wake-up call. Made from soft silicone and plastic, the large digital display and easy-set buttons are perfect for kids who are just beginning to tell time. It features the time, day, month, and the face lights up in four different glowing colors.
This Legends of Chima Laval LEGO Alarm Clock is perfect for kids who love the collection. There's an alarm and snooze function and also a back light!
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Sleepovers can be scary for both kids and parents the first time. Our guide will help you get through the night
There comes a time when camping in the living room with Mom and Dad will no longer cut it. If that’s the case, your kids might be ready for their first sleepover. But, like any new milestone, you may worry if it’s the right time to send them to a slumber party. There are no hard and fast rules about the right age for sleepovers: some 6-year-olds might be ready to sleep away from home, and some 11-year-olds might not be. So parents need to assess each opportunity individually. Read on for six signs your kids may be ready for sleepovers or an epic slumber party and 10 things to say that’ll reassure them that everything will be A-OK once they get there.
1. They Know What to Expect
Your kid’s first sleepover is a fun rite of passage, but make sure she knows exactly what she’s getting into before she heads out the door. Go over specifics, like navigating the bedtime routine at someone else’s house, and answer all the questions, like whether or not she can still bring her favorite stuffed animal.
2. You’ve Tested It Out
If you’re not quite sure your child is ready for a full-fledged slumber party away from home, try it at your house first. This way, you can see if the kids tire of one another or begin to fight with one another. Also, you can opt to throw a “mock sleepover” with a movie, popcorn, and PJs, but call it quits just before bedtime. Then you’ll know you’ve worked your way up to the real deal, but everyone can go home and sleep in their beds!
Have you ever had to spend the night away from your child? Perhaps they’ve had a babysitter walk them through brushing and bedtime or stayed with grandparents while you were out of town? If they are OK being away from you overnight, or at least until they fall asleep, they may be ready for their first sleepover.
4. You’ve Asked Questions
Perhaps your little one is thrilled about the pint-sized pajama game, but you’re still a little uneasy. There is nothing wrong with calling up the other parent and asking questions until you feel more comfortable. Everything from “What time will they go to bed?” to “Do you have pets?” are all fair game to calm your nerves. You’ll also want to address any concerns about how the parents handle situations like arguments or kids being scared at night. And don’t overlook the BIG question: are there guns in your house, and are they kept in a safe, secure place where the children (ANY children) will not have access to them?
5. They’re Planning One
When your kids come home from school begging for a sleepover with their BFF, it’s a good indication that they’re ready to give it a go. On the flip side, if they seem cautious about the idea or worried about who will tuck them in, they may need more time to warm up to sleep away from home.
6. You’ve Talked to Your Kids About Inappropriate Touching
Part of feeling safe is being safe and making sure your children understand good etiquette at the host family’s house, but also what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior from the adults and older siblings. While we encourage our children to be polite and on their best behavior, it is equally important to speak frankly with children in a way that will empower them to say “no” and know when something just isn’t right.
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Here are 10 statements you can make to help your little one feel secure at their first sleepover:
“You can call me to say goodnight before you go to bed.”
“I will pick you up first thing in the morning.”
“You can take a picture of us with you.”
“We are only a phone call away.”
“You will have so much fun with your friend and we’ll see you in the morning.”
“[Friend]’s parents will be there in case you need anything.”
“You can bring your pillow, blanket, and stuffed animal with you.”
“We’ll be home if you need us.”
“I’m so proud of you and I want you to have fun with [friend]!”
“I can’t wait to hear all about it when you get home.”
And if all does not go according to plan and you need to dash out to pick up your child early, a simple “maybe next time!” can help them to feel a little less embarrassed about feeling homesick. Happy slumbering!
Summer can mean non-stop action. Here’s how to relax your mind so you can keep going.
Between summertime and back-to-school, this time of year is a lot. And there’s no shame in admitting it, either. July and August can be all about making awesome memories and having a ton of fun. It can also be pretty stressful and overwhelming at the same time. It’s okay if it’s all of those things at once. There’s so much going on between swim lessons, camp, work, school supply shopping, and, you know, making dinner. No matter how the day went, getting to relax your mind (during any season, of course) is a major part of staying ready for anything mom life throws your way.
With everything going on, learning to rock relaxation can take a backseat. But keeping your mental health a priority as much as possible is as good for you as it is for your kids. We know it’s easier said than done, so we put together some fast and effective ideas to help keep you feeling your best.
Organic Ashwagandha
Vimergy
What's the deal with ashwagandha? It's an adaptogen (a class of plants known for stress, fatigue, and anxiety support when ingested as teas, powders, tinctures and supplements, or raw). Vimergy's liquid ashwagandha extract is easy to add to smoothies, juice, water, or even just taken directly. You can look forward to improved response to stress, healthier cognitive function, and relief for occasional insomnia. Organic Ashwagandha ($24.00)—Buy Here!
Clevr Blends SuperTea
Clevr Blends
You might know Clevr Blends SuperLattes from Oprah's Favorite Things. With all the barista-style drinks for mood, energy, and stress, their SuperLattes are a can't-go-wrong choice. We're also loving their new SuperTeas for hydration, gut health, and stress support. Available in 3 blends. Clevr Blends SuperTea ($28.00)—Buy Here!
Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier
Hey Dewy
Rock dewy skin no matter where you are with this wireless and rechargeable humidifier. If you can't get a full spa day scheduled, create one in your office, the car, while you travel with the Hey Dewy. Available in 5 colors. Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier ($59.95)—Buy Here!
Hug Sleep Pod
Hug Sleep
If you've ever swaddled your baby and thought, "wow, that looks really soothing, actually", the Hug Sleep Pod is for you. It's cocoon-like design applies gentle calming pressure, making it easier for your body to relax and fall asleep. It's available in multiple sizes, open-bottom styles, and a kid's option, too. Hug Sleep Pod (Starting at $69.99)—Buy Here!
Gravity Weighted Blankets
Gravity
Weighted blankets are definitely a proven tool for unwinding, but why are they all grey? Gravity's weighted blankets come in multiple sizes and colors, so you can relax and match your bedroom decor. Gravity Weighted Blankets ($250.00+)—Buy Here!
Apollo Neuro Wearable
Apollo Neuro
The Apollo wearable, developed by neuroscientists and physicians, uses low frequency sound waves felt as soothing vibrations to give you better sleep, more energy, relaxation, and focus. It's drug-free, so kids and parents can both use it for better sleep, clarity, and a boost of energy (hello, back-to-school). Right now, save $40 on an Apollo wearable using the code B2S23 valid until August 31, 2023. Apollo Wearable ($349.00)—Buy Here!
Recess Mood Magnesium Calming Beverage
Recess
Recess Mood Magnesium Calming Beverage blends magnesium, those adaptogens we've been talking about, and sparkling water for a great non-alcoholic alternative that calms and balances without drowsiness (and they're fun to drink, too). Recess Mood Magnesium Calming Beverage, Variety 12pk ($41.48)—Buy Here!
Mood Pod
Moon Pod
Sit, recline, or lay on the Moon Pod and you'll see why this anti-gravity updated cousin of the beanbag is so popular. There are lots of different accessories, too, so you can customize your Moon Pod, and we're pretty sure you'll wonder where it's been all your life. Moon Pod ($299.00+)—Buy Here!
White noise helps trigger your brain to start relaxing for sleep, and this machine from Homedics includes classic white noise, thunder, the ocean, and more, so you can find what you respond to best. Plus, it's small, so you can take it anywhere. Homedics SoundSleep White Noise Sound Machine ($21.99 Prime Day $15.39)—Buy Here!
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Default parents everywhere feel this in their bones
Ahhhh, summer. Little kids get up extra early for who knows why, and the questions immediately begin: “What are we doing today?” “What’s for breakfast?” “Can I go outside?” It never ends until they gloriously fall asleep. And the whole thing starts all over again the next morning. And the next. Seemingly forever. TikTok mom @jothemama was really feeling the default parent burden when she decided to document just how many times she received a request from her sons in this viral video.
“I have three boys, ages 5, 3, and 1, and I continuously lose my sh*t. Internally. Sometimes it comes out. Sometimes,” she admits. “I lose my sh*t right around 2 or 3 p.m. every day without fail. My husband works from home. But he does not lose his sh*t consistently. So, what’s going on?”
This brilliant and fed-up woman downloaded a counter clicker app on her phone to document every time her two older boys asked her for something. She skipped any easy questions like “What color is the couch?” and “What time is it?” and only included actual requests for drinks, butt wipes, TV shows, and the like.
@jothemama revealed that by 1:20 p.m., her counter was at 86. Yes, 86 individual requests from her two children. “They go to bed in seven hours. I’m not even halfway through the day,” she laments. Oh and requests that are made over and over and over until you give up your will to live are only counted once in this experiment.
“I guarantee you that if I were to ask my husband how many requests he gets a day at work… it’s in the single digits, for sure,” she says.
There isn’t a default parent in the world who is shocked by these findings.
The video hilariously ends with one of Jo’s kids popping into the frame and asking, “Can I have a snack?” followed by, “Well, why are you sitting there?” Because of course.
Cue the fireworks—it’s the season for red, white, and blue!
Get into the patriotic spirit by getting crafty with the kids. We’ve gathered up a bunch of easy, festive Fourth of July crafts that will give your Independence Day a little extra oomph. They’re super simple and you probably have a lot of stuff on hand already. From DIY noisemakers to star-spangled slime, and even 4th of July crafts for toddlers, scroll down to see them all!
A sweet and simple way to celebrate the Fourth of July. Kids can paint them in advance and hide them around your neighborhood for their friends to find.
One of the best use of pipe cleaners we’ve seen in a while, this is another easy and fun project to add to your list of Fourth of July crafts for kids!
Your kids will love the creative freedom of this Fourth of July craft and you’ll love the easy clean up. They can use the Q-tip to make fireworks with dots, lines, swirls, or anything they come up with.
This coffee filter craft is a simple and fun Fourth of July craft for your kids! Simply have them draw their firework design on the coffee filter, cut the edges, and spritz with water.
Gather up cups and rubber bands and in minutes you’ll be watching a fire-free backyard rocket-launch contest. We love that this is an interactive, fun activity that you can do before darkness falls. Check out the easy-peasy way to make your own rocket launchers at KiwiCo’s blog.
Expecting a crowd this Fourth of July? This delicious lollipop topiary dreamed up by Gluesticks is an easy, kid-friendly centerpiece sure to make any party pop. Don’t be surprised if they sample a few of the supplies as they work!
We love this paper chain from A Pumpkin and a Princess because it’s so easy to make with the little ones. Drape this 4th of July craft over your mantle or table for an extra festive touch.
Let freedom ring with these firecracker noisemakers. The project comes together in less than five minutes and is sure to have your whole crew celebrating in style. Grab a metal can, wrap it in a patriotic pattern from Paging Supermom, then get ready for serious noise.
America’s gal comes to life with this patriotic Fourth of July craft from Buggy and Buddy. Drama kings and queens will love getting the chance to dress up as the Statue of Liberty and parade around with a crown and torch.
This fun Fourth of July craft from Make and Takes will have everyone begging to sit at the kids' table. Leftover paper plates make the perfect canvas for this after-dinner activity.
Forgo the craft store and instead scavenge materials for this eco-friendly project directly from your recycling bin. Using basic tools and a little craft paint, Carissa at Creative Green Living transformed tin cans into a festive and functional wind chime for the backyard.
Maria of Kinder Craze created this awesome project to get her kindergarten class into the stars-and-stripes spirit. Your kids will love layering the red, white, and blue tissue paper to create their very own “stained glass” window, and this colorful Fourth of July craft doubles as great window décor for your celebration.
While the ’80s kid in us still mourns for real-deal sparklers (the fiery kind), the 21st-century parent in us is totally relieved that it’s no longer acceptable to send your kids out with fire sticks. That said, we’re thrilled to get our sparkler fix with a super cool craft like this sparkless sparkler from Merriment Design. Break out the chopsticks, ribbon, and party garland, then craft your way to the coolest, safest sparkler around.
We love a craft that does double duty, and these cute cupcake liner flowers from Fireflies and Mudpies do just that. They would make a really fun centerpiece for any backyard BBQ, and the kids will love that their Fourth of July crafts are taking center stage.
Ryan Reynolds just dropped a trailer for his new Bedtime Stories show, but fans are noticing the vibes are off… and vaguely terrifying
On the list of celebrities we’d love to have lull us to sleep by telling us a bedtime story, Ryan Reynolds is pretty up there. The Deadpool star has a voice like honey (and, of course, he’s pretty easy on the eyes). So imagine our excitement when Reynolds announced his new series, Bedtime Stories With Ryan! And there’s a trailer! We’ll just go ahead and watch that and prepare to be lulled into a state of pre-weekend relaxat—wait. Hold up. Um, is it just us, or is this actually low-key terrifying?
In the trailer, the camera pans over a cozy-looking library with a huge, full moon shining through the window. Reynolds offers this voiceover: “You know the best part about stories? You remember them. They stay with you.”
A quiet piano melody plays softly in the background as these words appear on the screen: “From an anxious mind, comes a restful show.”
Reynolds appears, dressed in a set of brown-and-white checkered pajamas, and announces, “I wanna tell you a bedtime story.”
This is the point in the trailer where the vibe noticeably shifts. There’s something about Reynolds’ tone that sounds vaguely threatening? Also, he sits down in a big chair and prepares to read a bedtime story… to a pair of absolutely terrifying animatronic sheep. Like, if their eyes started glowing red and they opened their mouths to reveal a set of fangs, we would be zero surprised.
Reynolds then stands up and holds a finger to his lips, and, for some reason, climbs out the library window onto the roof.
“Now,” he says, “rest your tired bones. And remember, whatever you do, don’t fall asleep.”
UM, THAT PART IS DEFINITELY A THREAT. WHAT HAPPENS IF WE FALL ASLEEP, RYAN?
The comments are with us on this—people don’t quite know what to make of this trailer.
“I want to put that Will Ferrell ”I don’t believe you” gif because I don’t know if this is real, a jokey thing or a horror 😂” one commenter wrote.
So anyway, if you want to watch this show and see if it’s Ryan or one of the sheep that’s a horror movie monster in disguise, it premieres June 20 on the Maximum Effort channel on Fubo.
