Transitioning to Bedtime: One Amazing Tip

Struggling with transitioning to bedtime? Riled up kids hard to soothe? You’ll want to read this!

When we knew we were bringing a third child into our family, we had to make a tough decision.  Give up our guest room or move the two older boys into a bedroom together.  Jon’s parents live out-of-state and often stay for several weeks at a time, so we ended up deciding to put Graham (6) and Will (3) in the same room.  Their combined bedroom is spacious with a very large closet/mini-playroom, so there is plenty of space for their big personalities.

The transition has gone quite well.  Will didn’t seem to mind giving up his bedroom for the baby and has loved his new status as a “big boy” in the “big boy bedroom.”  I think rooming together has made them closer (much to my surprise), and I know they’ve really come to enjoy each other’s company and playtime together despite the (rather often) typical sibling battles.

The only downside that we’ve experienced with having them share a room has been bedtime.  We’ve kept the routine the same – PJ’s, teeth-brushing, books, songs and cuddles.  But after tucking them in, it’s become a comedic (and somewhat tragic) affair of each child taking turns coming downstairs – One needs another hug and kiss.  One didn’t remember getting a song.  One needs more water.  One complains that his brother is talking too much.  One wants to know what happens to fish during winter when the water freezes.  Yes, that was asked.

Something needed to be done.

I was contemplating locking them in the bedroom (then nightmares of DSS visits changed my mind on that one), so instead I got the Cloud B Twilight Turtle.  This little guy is uh-maze-ing.  Three nights into it’s use and there has not been one trip downstairs after we’ve tucked the kids in.  If that doesn’t have you running out to go get one of these turtle guys, I don’t know what will! 🙂

Here’s the skinny:  The folks at Cloud B are well-versed in the realm of Pediatric Sleep Science.  I didn’t even know this was a “thing”, but after three kids, I’m thinking I should have majored in Pediatric Sleep Science in college instead of Journalism!   But I stray… Cloud B makes products based on the categories of Sight, Sound and Scent.

In picking the Twilight Turtle, I opted for “Sight” as it promised to:

Combine light, colors, shapes and motion to capture children’s attention and peacefully transition them from the bright, energetic world of awake-time to the darker, calming world of sleep-time.

The colors rotate through green, blue and amber.  There’s a storybook to help you pick out constellations as a fun bedtime activity, and the turtle times out after 45 minutes so the children can sleep in total darkness.

Turns out, it was exactly what we needed.  Both boys are entranced by the turtle and Jon and I have had a much more peaceful evenings as a result.  Now, if only I could get my 8 week old to sleep through the night.  That would REALLY be something!

*I have received compensation and product in exchange for my feedback.  All opinions are my own.