Parent Hacks: Sleep

Sleep

Sleep. We want it. We want our kids to want it.

Here, you'll find tips for getting your kids to sleep, and possibly even getting some sleep yourself, including:

...and more! Scroll down for our most recent tips.

02 October 2009

Amazon Friday sale: AeroBed (for kids and grownups) 40-50% off

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Sleep

In today's Amazon Friday sale : Consider thinking ahead to holiday houseguests. Two AeroBeds are on sale today: the AeroBed for Kids (40% off at $59.99), and the AeroBed Guest Choice Inflatable Bed (twin size is 46% off at $49.99, queen size is 51% off at $59.99). The kids' version...

COMMENTS: 2 Tweet

15 August 2009

Amazon today only: Aerobed Aerosport Overnighter 50% off

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Sleep, Travel + Getting Out

Well, hello! I hope you're enjoying the end of your summer. Despite my extended recess, I'm still here, silently scanning my online world. I've got much more to tell you, but in the meantime, I wanted to share this Amazon deal, which lasts for today only: The Aerobed Aerosport Overnighter...

COMMENTS: 0 Tweet

08 June 2009

Momversation: Do you let your kids go to slumber parties?

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Health, Sleep

Summer's here, and it's time for sleepovers. Right? Dana of Mamalogues wonders: when are the kids ready? When are we? Giyen (Bacon is my Enemy), Mindy (The Mommy Blog ) and I share our thoughts. Join the Momversation! Leave your comments on the Momversation.com page for this episode.

01 June 2009

Nightlight on a timer tells early risers when it's morning wakeup time

1-3 Years, 3-5 Years, Sleep

Here's Marie's brilliant hack for teaching her early riser about a reasonable wakeup time. (Especially handy now that the sun's rising earlier.) My three year-old daughter was a very early riser and would wake me up repeatedly to ask if it was time to get up yet. [Don't you love...

COMMENTS: 9 Tweet

08 April 2009

Cookie sheet as "stepstool" helps little kids climb into bed

1-3 Years, 3-5 Years, Sleep

Kelly's creative idea for helping her child climb into bed: Our 3 year old is tiny and needs help climbing in and out of bed. We tried an inexpensive Ikea stool that worked great except it gets 'misplaced' throughout the day. So, I wedged a cookie sheet between the mattress...

COMMENTS: 5 Tweet

08 April 2009

Cookie sheet as "stepstool" helps little kids climb into bed

1-3 Years, 3-5 Years, Sleep

Kelly's creative idea for helping her child climb into bed: Our 3 year old is tiny and needs help climbing in and out of bed. We tried an inexpensive Ikea stool that worked great except it gets 'misplaced' throughout the day. So, I wedged a cookie sheet between the mattress...

COMMENTS: 6 Tweet

20 March 2009

Bedtime Ice cubes satisfy thirsty kids AND help them stay dry at night

1-3 Years, 3-5 Years, Mealtime, Poop + Pee + Bath, Sleep

Bethany's hack for potty training families: When my 3 yr. old was learning to stay dry at night we wanted to help without dehydrating him before bed so my hubby had a wonderful idea. He puts a few large ice cubes into the cup with just a little water. Our...

COMMENTS: 5 Tweet

19 March 2009

Kids share a bed? How to stop them from fighting over the covers.

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Sleep

Linda, AKA minnemom, offers a great tip for kids who sleep in the same bed: My little girls (ages 3 and 5) share a double bed. They were always kicking each other and fighting over the covers until I tried this: I put them sideways on the bed, stacked pillows...

COMMENTS: 4 Tweet

18 March 2009

When traveling, have baby supplies shipped directly to your hotel

0-1 Year, 1-3 Years, Getting Organized, Mealtime, Sleep, Travel + Getting Out

We've talked before about avoiding packing hassle by shipping diapers to your travel destination, but good friend and frequent traveler Cory Doctorow (of BoingBoing and Craphound fame) took it a big step further with great results: Don't suppose I'm the first to come up with this, but I've had amazing...

COMMENTS: 6 Tweet

06 March 2009

Prepare your kids for daylight savings time

0-1 Year, 1-3 Years, 3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Health, Sleep

COMMENTS: 2 Tweet

02 March 2009

Shorten pajamas with first aid tape

1-3 Years, 3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Sleep

Kendra's quick, no-sew pajama-hemming hack: We're big fans of superhero PJs and sleep pants, but we either have to buy several sizes too big to even get a pair (e.g. Life Is Good lounge pants) or the buggers are simply far too long. After about the millionth cuffing / quick-basting...

COMMENTS: 5 Tweet

23 February 2009

Stave off sleep deprivation by tag-teaming overnight feeding

0-1 Year, Mealtime, Sleep

Parents of newborns: Jenna's overnight feeding how-to will save your sanity (or, at least, slow its departure): When my daughter was about 5 weeks old, we were going OUT OF OUR MINDS with sleep deprivation. A friend shared this with me, and I swear, its the best single piece of...

COMMENTS: 22 Tweet

28 January 2009

Amazon Deal of the Day: AeroBed for Kids

1-3 Years, 3-5 Years, Sleep, Travel + Getting Out

Have you ever slept on an AeroBed? Me neither, because when I have the opportunity as an overnight guest, my kids beg to sleep on it. In that spirit, my mom got an AeroBed for the kids for when they come to visit, and they practically giggle in anticipation of...

COMMENTS: 6 Tweet

28 January 2009

A "dream book" placed under the pillow at bedtime prevents nightmares

1-3 Years, 3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Sleep

Duane's hack reinforces my belief that a good book cures almost anything: My four year-old tends to complain of bad dreams although she can never articulate what happens in them. This sometimes leads to her not wanting to go to bed. I informed her that if she sleeps with a...

COMMENTS: 6 Tweet

25 January 2009

Use storytelling to teach kids about how food and clothing (and more) are produced

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Fun Projects + Activities, Sleep

Sara's inventive (and entertaining) teaching method: I want my daughter to understand is where things (food, fabric, etc.) comes from. To this end, I invented the "Little Farmer J--" stories. Little Farmer J does *everything* -- grows a garden, plants and harvests wheat, grinds it, and makes bread, grows cotton...

COMMENTS: 8 Tweet

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