Sleep & Bedtime

Bedtime is where a lot of parenting either comes together or falls apart. These articles cover the evening routine, the stalling and the last-minute requests, the fear of the dark that shows up around age three, and what the research actually says about reading together before sleep.

5 articles

An illustrated scene in a softly lit nursery. A woman with dark curly hair wearing a green cable-knit sweater is sitting on a patterned rug, smiling down at a baby asleep in a white crib. The baby holds a small teddy bear and is covered by a blanket. Above the crib hangs a glowing star mobile. On the left, a dresser holds a plant and a digital clock displaying '07:45'. The woman holds a book in her lap. The style is warm and textured.
how much sleep do babies need

How Much Sleep Do Babies and Toddlers Need? Dr. Amen's Brain Health View

our toddler's 6 p.m. meltdown might not be about the banana. Here's how much sleep little brains actually need.

A mother reads a bedtime story with her son in a cozy bedroom while a friendly fluffy monster hugs a pillow nearby, creating a warm, comforting atmosphere under the moonlit night sky.
positive parenting

The Playground Versus the 10 Minutes Before Bed

Sometimes 10 focused minutes matter more than an entire hour at the playground.

A gentle, classic children's book illustration of a mother and her young daughter reading a story together in bed, illuminated by a warm and cozy nightlight.
personalized stories

Why 15 Minutes of Bedtime Reading Beats Any Educational Toy

Why 15 minutes of bedtime reading matters more than any educational toy, the research behind shared reading, and how a personalized story deepens the effect.

A young child lies tucked under a soft sage-green duvet in a cozy Scandinavian-style bedroom at night, peeking over the blanket with a worried expression. Beside the bed, a small fluffy teal monster with tiny horns sits peacefully on the rug, hugging a pillow with a gentle smile. Warm bedside lighting, glowing hanging star lights, wooden Montessori furniture, children's books, plush toys, and a moonlit window create a calm, comforting atmosphere that helps transform bedtime fears into feelings of safety and reassurance.
personalized stories

Afraid of the Dark: How a Story Turns the Room Into a Safe Place

A child peeks nervously from under a blanket while a friendly fluffy monster hugs a pillow nearby in a cozy, moonlit bedroom, showing how bedtime stories can turn fear into comfort.

A modern vector illustration of a cozy bedroom. A woman with short, wavy brown hair, wearing a dark top and an orange-patterned cardigan, sits on a teal stool facing a child's wooden bed. The child, a young Black boy with curly dark hair, is sitting up in the bed, smiling. The bed has a blue comforter patterned with rockets, stars, and planets, and a single white pillow. Behind the bed is a light green wall with a subtle leaf and cloud pattern. On the wall, there is a bookshelf filled with books and toys, and three framed pictures: one of a crescent moon and stars, one of a family with a baby, and one of another family with a baby. To the right, a window shows a sunset, and a bedside table holds a teal-based lamp with a white shade. On the floor are some scattered building blocks and a toy car. The overall style is warm and friendly.
positive parenting

From Crib to Big Kid Bed: The Big Transition

There's real tension between safety and sleep quality in the big bed question. Here's how to think it through.

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