5 Benefits of a Calming Bedtime Routine & Giveaway

When you have had your baby the topic of a calming, soothing bedtime routine pops up pretty quickly because parents are so desperate to figure out the dreaded sleep question.  I have had three children and despite my best efforts to create those calming routines each of my children still ended up with a slightly different routine.  When my children were babies (within their first year) I did incorporate lullabies as a soothing addition to the routine instead of a book and then as they got older I switched to books.

What does a nice relaxing bedtime look life in your house?

A nice soothing bath with scented lavender soap bubbles, relaxing meditative music, maybe a glass a wine, gratitude journal and reading a book.  Oh wait, that would be my dream bedtime routine.

Nowadays my kids routine is pyjamas, brush teeth, story and snuggle (sometimes a chat).

5 BENEFITS I HAVE FOUND:

1.  More sleep and better sleep means less behaviour problems the following day.  How many times do we say 'oh, they are just tired' and then we don't put them to bed any earlier.

2.  My strongest connection and chatting time has come at the end of the day when we are snuggled in bed reading a story or just chatting about the day.  Music to my ears is when my child starts with this 'Mom, can I ask you question?' I know it is heart to heart time.

3.  Reading at bedtime means I can share my love of reading and stories with my children and build a life long reading addiction.

4.  The routine can be done anywhere even on vacation, or at grandmas's house or even if you are out for the night.

5.  Better sleep outcomes, as summarizes from an article by The Kid's Doctor, such as early bedtimes, shorter time to fall asleep, reduced night waking and increased sleep duration.

How about you, as an adult, do you have a routine that helps settle you and get ready for bed?  Do you use music in your kids routine?

I'm very excited today to share with you these two gorgeous books that would make great additions to a bedtime routine.  The publisher has graciously included 1 book in a giveaway for my readers so don't forget to enter at the end of the post.

Have you heard of Periscope?  It is a live streaming platform where we can engage in real time.  I'm going to by live tomorrow with the books and chatting about bedtime routines and announcing the giveaway.  You can find me on Twitter at @Adalinc3 which is also how you can find me on Periscope.  If you can't make it each Periscope is available for 24hours and then it disappears.  I have tried 1 broadcast so this will be my second.  There is a lot to learn so just bare with me while I get the hang of it.

Both books are from The Secret Mountain Independent Publisher who publish innovative, award winning children's picture books and CD, apps and ebooks featuring the best in classical, jazz, rock, folk and world music.

BOOK 1:  TOMORROW IS A CHANCE TO START OVER (Bedtime story and dream songs) by Hilary Grist.

Tomorrow is a Chance to Start Over by Hilary Grist is an artistic wonder from the book to the dream songs on the CD.  The story, lead vocal, lyrics and music are all done by Hilary Grist.  The music is comforting, soothing and liquidly smooth.  Her book and CD can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike.     A multimedia set design photographs the journey of the Ira and Isabelle as they try to fall asleep in their beds only to be kept awake by the noises outside.  They escape by taking an imaginative journey  by boat to a magical island where they explore and discover the brightest colours they have ever seen, a soothing bubbly brook, sit and make wishes and blow them away and  enjoy clouds floating in the sky.  In this magical place they meet a big robin who helps them to soar and fly.  The big robin gives them a special gift at the end by reminding them that "Tomorrow is a Chance to Start Over Again".

If you love to create soothing, calming bedtime routines for your child this book and CD would be a gem to add to your collection.  I find that her CD also works well during the day for quiet time as well.  This book worked nicely for all of my children.






BOOK 2: SLEEP SOFTLY (Classical Lullabies by Brahms, Schubert, Satie, Debussy...)

Performed by L'Ensemble Agora
Illustrated by Elodie Nouhen

A gorgeously illustrated book with coloured pencil artwork that accompanies historical background on each of classical lullabies which makes the book nice to explore for an adult while your child drifts off to classical lullabies themselves.


*Disclosure:  I received a copy of each of these books from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing them.  The opinions of the books are my own.  As always, I only review books my children enjoy, I enjoy or I think will be a good fit for my readers.

Now time for the Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY

**Prize:** One winner will receive a copy of 1 book and CD supplied and shipped by The Sugar Mountian.  Winner may chose from Tomorrow is a Chance to Start Over or Sleep Softly.

**Contest Closes:** August 23rd, 11:59 pm, 2015.

**Open to:**  US and Canada Residents Only

**How to Enter:**  Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

**Terms and Conditions:** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  A winner will be randomly drawn using the Rafflecopter widget below and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the contest ends.   The winner will then have 72 hours to respond.  If the winner does not respond in 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner.  Odds of winning will vary depending on eligible entries received.  This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered, or associated with Facebook.  This giveaway is hosted and managed by Bonnie Dani from Adalinc to Life.  If you have any additional questions - please send an email to bonnie_dani(at)hotmail(dot)com.

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