Common Bedtime Mistakes Parents Make – and How to Fix Them

Is bedtime in your home turning into a nightly struggle? If so, you’re not alone. Many well-meaning parents make small bedtime mistakes that unintentionally lead to restless nights, bedtime battles, and cranky mornings. The good news is that with a few intentional adjustments, you can transform your child’s bedtime into a calm and consistent routine.

In this article, we’ll highlight the most common bedtime mistakes that affect children’s sleep—and exactly how you can fix them to encourage better rest for everyone in the family.

1. Inconsistent Bedtime Routine

Children crave predictability, and an irregular routine can throw off their internal clock.

Why It’s a Problem:
If bedtime changes from one night to the next, or if the steps leading to sleep are different every evening, your child won’t know when or how to settle down. This unpredictability often leads to resistance and delayed sleep.

How to Fix It:
Create a simple bedtime routine and stick to it every night in the same order. For example: bath → pajamas → teeth → story → lights out. This builds security and signals the brain to wind down.

Keep It Short and Predictable:
The ideal routine should last between 20–30 minutes. Avoid adding too many steps or letting it drag on.

2. Allowing Screen Time Too Close to Bedtime

Screens are a major contributor to sleep problems in children—and many parents don’t realize just how disruptive they can be.

Why It’s a Problem:
Phones, tablets, and TVs emit blue light, which suppresses melatonin—the hormone that makes us sleepy. Even short bursts of screen exposure before bed can delay sleep onset.

How to Fix It:
Turn off all screens at least one hour before bedtime. Replace that time with screen-free activities like reading, coloring, gentle stretching, or soft music.

Model the Behavior:
Children imitate what they see. Set a positive example by also putting your phone away during wind-down time.

3. Letting Kids Get Overtired

A common myth is that the more tired a child is, the easier they’ll fall asleep—but it’s actually the opposite.

Why It’s a Problem:
When children become overtired, their bodies release cortisol and adrenaline to stay alert—making it much harder to fall and stay asleep. This can also lead to night wakings or early risings.

How to Fix It:
Watch for signs of sleepiness: yawning, rubbing eyes, becoming quiet, or zoning out. Stick to a consistent bedtime, even if your child seems full of energy late in the evening.

Don’t Delay Bedtime:
Avoid pushing bedtime later in hopes they’ll sleep harder. Instead, focus on getting them to bed before they reach that overtired state.

4. Too Much Stimulation Close to Bedtime

What your child does in the hour before sleep can dramatically affect their ability to wind down.

Why It’s a Problem:
Roughhousing, loud play, or highly engaging activities keep your child’s brain in a stimulated state—working against their natural need to relax.

How to Fix It:
Start a “calm-down hour” about 60 minutes before bed. Lower lights, speak in soft voices, and encourage activities like drawing, puzzles, or quiet reading.

Switch Gears Gently:
Help your child shift from play mode to rest mode gradually—not abruptly.

5. Reacting Inconsistently to Nighttime Behavior

Mixed signals from parents during the night can confuse children and reinforce negative sleep behaviors.

Why It’s a Problem:
If you respond differently every night—sometimes saying yes to “one more story,” sometimes no—your child learns to test limits. Inconsistency weakens boundaries.

How to Fix It:
Establish clear rules around bedtime and nighttime requests. Be kind but firm. For example, “After storytime, we go to sleep—no more stories.”

Stay Calm and Consistent:
Consistency builds trust and helps your child know what to expect, making it easier for them to settle.

A smooth, stress-free bedtime is within reach—once you know what to avoid. By correcting common bedtime mistakes like screen time before sleep, inconsistent routines, overtiredness, and unclear boundaries, you set your child up for more restful nights and better days.

Remember: healthy sleep habits don’t form overnight, but small changes add up to big results. Bedtime can go from chaotic to calm—and even become a treasured part of your family’s day.