Bedtime Battles and Nighttime Routines
Hi friends,
I swear it doesn’t matter how many times I ask my child to get ready for bed — this struggle seems to happen almost every night. By the time evening rolls around, we’re both tired, and what should be a simple routine often turns into a challenge.
Althea has three medication times each day: 7 a.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m. I tend to talk more about her because she’s the child I have the most boundaries with and, honestly, the most struggles with when it comes to routines. My other daughter takes her medications at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. without much trouble. With Althea, though, nighttime is different.
The morning dose is easy because it’s just one pill. The 6 p.m. dose usually goes smoothly for the same reason. But when 8 p.m. comes around, everything changes. That’s when I hear, “Mom, no.”
I remind her how important it is to follow her rules and routines. I tell her that she helped set these rules, so it’s important that she follows them too. At night, she takes one pill, one capsule, and one chewable. Altogether, she takes medication for ADHD, DMDD, nightmares, and sometimes one to three medications for allergies. That doesn’t even include the medications she needs during asthma flare-ups, or the inhaler she uses twice a day.
Tonight, though, the bigger issue isn’t just the medication — it’s sleep itself. She doesn’t want to go to bed at all. Even after we’ve talked about how important it is for her to sleep in her own bed, she’s still drawn to the couch. It’s become a troubling and constant routine, one that leaves both of us frustrated and exhausted.
Today, I reported that she’s been having a harder time sleeping since her concussion, and I honestly don’t know what’s causing it. Whether it’s discomfort, anxiety, or something else entirely, it’s hard not knowing how to help her rest.
Some nights feel heavier than others. Tonight is one of those nights. But like always, we’ll try again tomorrow.
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