The things we say to get our children to sleep

Since just before Christmas I have found myself on a more regular basis thinking of some sort of comment to get our twin girls to sleep because at four years of age they are totally understanding. I’m sure everybody has been there. It’s been a long day and four year olds are time consuming. Double that to twins in our case and you can just feel knackered and just would like some time to yourselves, a few of hours of no children.

I thought I would give my list of things that I have said over the last few months.

1. Just before Christmas last year we were going away to see Santa and the Kingdom of the Elves and of course to get the girls to sleep we could use this as leverage, well we won’t go then!

2. Then Christmas comes and of course you can use this for weeks! If you don’t go to sleep Father Christmas won’t come and bring your presents!

3. My daughter, E, is in university and when she is home on holidays the twins love having her around and of course it is yet another perfect persuasion tool for going to sleep. E won’t be here in the morning if you don’t go to sleep!

4. R and M’s birthday is in February and they are more than aware of this. They had a party with half their nursery class and again for days leading up to their birthday we could use this as a way to encourage them to sleep!

5. Finally, it’s Easter and on Easter Saturday I heard myself saying at bedtime, go to sleep or the Easter bunny won’t visit to leave Easter eggs!

It has amazed me that something comes along all the time that you can use to persuade your children to go to sleep at nighttime, but in truth how wise are they because the interesting thing is they go to sleep within 15 minutes, whatever I say!

The truth is they could actually be tired and ready for sleep anyway!

Our four year old twins I think are very clued up. Why? Well we never take anything off them or not go on a day trip etc and I think they already have worked that out so threats of not giving them something or not going somewhere simply doesn’t work anymore!

Would love to hear what you think and have you tried anything similar to get your children to sleep?