Bedtime

Make a bedtime plan that maps out exactly what will happen each evening

Including the order of events and, for your reference, start and finish times.

Share the plan with your family (don't forget dad), verbally and through pictures, if necessary.

Make a "sleep manners" chart to lay out the rules and reward good sleep behavior.

Remove anxiety by having your child play in her room often.

Help your child wind down by turning off the electronics and hour prior to bedtime

And avoiding caffeine in the evening (and consider hidden sources like chocolate milk or soda).

Set the scene with soft lighting and reduced noise.

Read or talk quietly with your child to ease her into the sleepy zone

Give her guaranteed one-on-one time with you.

Avoid "bad thoughts" by getting your child talking and thinking about happy memories or non-scary subjects that interest her.

Be consistent 7 days a week, with times, the order of events and in your response to problems.

Comfort your child if he's scared, but stay within your rules.

If she leaves the room after bedtime, quietly lead her back to bed with minimal interaction (rinse and repeat).

Download or Print this Bedtime Checklist

Get a printable version of this checklist in your preferred format: PDF, Word, Excel, or print directly from your browser.

Who it's for

This Bedtime Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.

Avoid forgetting - keep all your Bedtime essentials in one place (external memory)
Save time - start from a proven Bedtime structure instead of a blank page
Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time

How to use this Bedtime Checklist

Save Bedtime Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for Bedtime (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.

5 stars

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