After summer’s late sunsets and “just one more” popsicles, switching to a school sleep schedule can be brutal. Here’s how to do it without meltdowns.
1. Start Early
- Shift bedtime earlier by 15 minutes every 2–3 nights until you hit school bedtime.
- I find it helps us if we say “5 more minutes, 4 more minutes, etc.” I even make sure they acknowledge it so we are all on the same page. I notice this helps transition time for them a lot more.
2. Create a Wind-Down Ritual
- Bath, books, and dim lights signal the brain it’s time to sleep.
- When they are having their dessert, I like to sneak up to their rooms and turn off the lights, turn on the sound machine, turn on the nightlight, etc. This way when they head up there - it’s already in “sleep mode.”
3. Limit Screens Before Bed
- Blue light delays melatonin. Swap devices for coloring, puzzles, or audiobooks.
- I added little lights over their beds but a clip-on book light is great too. I let them take 2 books to bed and give them 5-10 minutes of quiet time in their bunks. They feel like big kids and then when I go in and turn the lights off, they are already pretty sleepy and it makes the transition so much easier.
4. Morning Light = Morning Energy
- Open blinds right away to help reset their internal clock.
- If you have one of those sunlight clocks- this is also super helpful and you can set the light to be a “morning light” or “glow” to help them feel more calm when waking up.
5. Make It Cozy
- Let them pick new pajamas or a special blanket for the new school year.
- We love our “quillows” from Krista Horton - it is a blanket that folds into itself and is a pillow that also has straps for a backpack. We take these EVERYWHERE - from the car to the boat to the couch, they are THE BEST cozy accessory.
💡 Buggy Box Co. Tie-In: Keep a Buggy Bag craft or coloring page for those pre-bed quiet moments instead of TV — it’s the perfect calming activity.