We have had some VERY hot days so far this spring going into summer, and inevitably there will be more to come as the summer continues and although it is lovely for enjoying lots of outdoors time, it is not so good when it comes to bedtime especially for our children. I have had problems getting my two to sleep some nights (not every night thank goodness, but more than normal), they are asking why they have to go to bed while it is still light outside and it means I am not able to sneak off like I can before they are fully asleep as I can in the winter months! If I open the skylight in their bedroom roof, to help cool the room down as it does get hot in their room, not only does it mean that the blackout blind is not being used, the light comes it through the gap made by it being open and then it is even lighter in their room!!! It can be a bit of a nightmare it has to be said.
However, hot, light summer nights do not deter me from sticking to our bedtime routine, which means that by 7pm the boys are in bed (ok, so sometimes this is a little later at the weekend), we have had a story, they may just be clothed in pants and lying on just their sheet with the duvet pulled back but they know that it is bedtime even if it is not easy to get to sleep.
I asked some fellow Mum’s to share their tips and words of wisdom based on years of experience of these summer night-mares and here is what they said:
“Cool showers at end of day and vest and knickers to sleep in. I’ve removed duvets and were all sleeping under sheet only, also keep windows open to create a breeze ” Mari from marisworld.co.uk
“My baby has been sleeping in just a nappy and the lightest grobag so that she doesn’t overheat and we also put a fan in the hallway so that it’s not blowing directly on either of the kids but still cools the air.” Jayne, mumstheword.me
“Cold flannels on the forehead, or sweatbands run under a cold tap and squeezed out and put on wrists always helps”. Tanya, mummybarrow.com
“We struggle with Ruby’s room as it’s a loft conversion so gets very hot. We keep the blind closed and the window ajar during the day to prevent it heating up too much and she has a fan on during the night We have been known to sleep in the tent in the garden when it’s too hot! “ Liz, .missielizzie-meandmyshadow.blogspot.com/
“Black out curtains are a must! A fan is good and even better if you stand a bowl of ice cubes in front of it! Eat you cooked meal earlier in the day – your body creates heat if it is trying to digest (tricky with babies though!) “. Mary, Keynko
‘”I am one of those strict parents that no matter what night of the week it is, school or no school they go to bed at the same time every night. Obviously if we are away it varies a little but generally they are ready to go to bed at the same time.” Sarah Boorooandtiggertoo
“I leave the curtains closed during the day, which keeps the room cooler”. Andrea, allyouneedisloveandcake.co.uk
“If it gets too hot, Amy just covers with a sheet instead of a heavy duvet that makes her sweat.” Carolin, mummyalarm.co.uk
“I let mine stay up later in the school holidays, easier for them to sleep when they are tired and a bonus lie in for all in the morning”. Fiona, coombemill.com/blog
I think as a parent you have to do whatever you can to make sure summer night-mares are avoided, and to get your child/children to go to bed easily when it is hot and light. Remembering to ensure they are hydrated, the room is cool, they are dressed appropriately for the temperatures and they close their eyes so at least if the room is light, all they will see is darkness. That is what I try to tell Burton and Jenson anyway !!!
I was sent some items from House Of Fraser, to help me with the summer nights for the purpose of this post
allyouneedisloveandcake
Some really good ideas here, its so hard sticking to a routine when its so hot! Thanks for including me 🙂