Monday, April 16, 2012

How I keep my kids in bed (if not asleep)

This, my friends is magic.





When the clock is blue, it is time for sleep.



When the clock is yellow, it is time to wake up.



It's called My Tot Clock, I bought both (one for each of the non-baby kids) from Amazon.

Of course, now our four year old can tell time, both on the analog and digital clocks, so she needs this less and less, but it has been my savior for years. Starting a little before age 2, the kids can understand the  color change, and they will actually stay in bed. You can set the time to turn blue and yellow at the bedtime and wake time of your choice (6:30pm and 6:00am for us). Yes, 6am. And it is h-a-r-d to get them to stay there that long. It's genetic, my sister and I woke our parents up well before 6am for years. Although my mother claims to have blocked it out:)

The clock also "externalizes the issue" of bedtime. You are not telling them to go to bed, the clock is. If they are taking too long to get ready, the clock will still turn blue at the same time, so you can say, "we have 10 minutes until the clock is blue. Once you are in jammies I will read until it changes color". That way your child can still have some control over their actions and decisions, without you threatening them with fewer stories or (to them) arbitrarily deciding on a bed time.

Jessica

Thanks for stopping by! 
Please feel free to follow me with all those nifty buttons in the sidebar:)



I link to these awesome parties:
Sunday: I Heart NaptimeNifty Thrifty ThingsInspired HoneybeeIt's Overflowing, A Rosie Sweet Home  Monday: Delectable Home, C.R.A.F.T.  DIY ShowoffBetween Naps on the PorchSumo's Sweet StuffThrifty Decor ChickAlderberry HillDebbie Doo'sHome Stories A to ZHome Savvy AtoZ , Evolution of Style Tuesday: Coastal CharmNest for LessTip JunkieMy Uncommon Slice of SuburbiaCarolyn's HomeworkOur Delightful HomeA Bowl Full of LemonsGet Your Craft OnKurtz Corner , Natural Nesters, Uncommon Designs, Centsational Girl  Wednesday: Savvy Southern StyleOrganize and Decorate,  Mommy SolutionsPower of PaintNewlyweds Recipe LinkySouthern Lovely , Home Happy Home, Crafty Sasse Wednesday, Grateful Belly, Gingersnap Crafts  Thursday: The Shabby Creek CottageMade in a DayHouse of Hepworthsthe 36th Avenue , Bloggeritaville Craft, Scrappy, Happy52 Mantels Friday: Blissful and DomesticOne Artsy MamaSerenity NowTatertots and JelloThe Shabby NestThirty Handmade DaysAddicted 2 DecoratingFunky Junk InteriorsFinancial FridayFurniture FridayAt the Picket FenceThe Rooster and the Hen, Classy Clutter

Pin It

33 comments:

SSM said...

Great idea, Jessica.

How did you hear about it?

Unknown said...

This is GREAT! I have a terrible time with my 2yr old and staying in her bed! Perfect! I like that it takes the load off of Mom or Dad saying "it's bed time" - The clock does it! Thanks for sharing! I LOVE it!!! - Kali

Debbie {Visual Eye Candy} said...

What a great idea! I'm going to have to steal this idea when my little girl get's a little older, I love it!

Krystle @ Color Transformed Family said...

I heard one of my friends talking about this the other month. It sounds great. I will have to get one when Noah gets a little older.

Jen825 said...

We have a similar clock that's a sleeping / playing bunny. I bought it for my daughter when she turned two, because her sleep time was totally messed up from day light savings time. I was hesitant to buy one because of the high price for a clock, but it's worth every penny. http://www.amazon.com/KidSleep-KSCLB-Classic-Blue/dp/B000VVIHPS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334583629&sr=8-1

Anonymous said...

jessica, this is off-topic but you have a funny typo up there when you say, we have 10 minutes until the clock turns blue... hehe sorry i'm immature but just can't stop giggling.

Jaime Lyn said...

very very cool! I like this idea and will for sure have to store this one away for the future! Thank you for sharing! I can see how this would be very helpful with the little ones!
Jaime

Unknown said...

These clocks would make great gifts for new parents - thanks for the tip. I've never seem these before.

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

We have an early riser too, so hard for a non-morning person. We had a sun that changed colors, best invention, glad you shared this because it can really help other parents.

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

What a great idea {and it acts as a nightlight too}.

amy @ whilewearingheels.blogspot.com

Kathysue said...

I don't have any little ones at home, but think this is a great idea and had to pin it for my Mommy readers!! Happy Monday,
Kathysue

Megan said...

I have no problem with getting the kids to bed, but I could go without the early mornings. We just bought some room darkening blinds in hopes of keeping them in bed later. LOL! I would have my clock go off at 10 am ;)

Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication said...

This seems like such an awesome idea!! I'll definitely have to look into it when we have kids!

thistlewoodfarm said...

Jessica,
What an awesome idea! I love this! I really needed this about four years ago! :)

blessings,
karianne

Christine @ Park House Love said...

This is genius! I'll have to remember this once we start having kids :)

Unknown said...

Love this clock! What a great idea... I can see this improving our lives immensely!

Linda @ it all started with paint said...

Do you think it'll work on an 11 and 14-year-old?

:)

Linda

Erika . . . with a K said...

Great idea.... I wish this would work on my 4 month old!! Maybe in a few years!

Holly @ Life as a Thrifter said...

AHH! Perfect! With my little gal moving to a big girl room soon, this may be ABSOLUTELY necessary! Thanks os much for this!

Meaningful Mama said...

Great clock. I've seen on similar in a catalog. WE do the budget thing and put their night light on a Christmas timer. I'm thinking about investing in one like this too.

Crazy Wonderful said...

This just might be the answer to my prayers! The last few nights have been a nightmare trying to get our little girl to stay in bed.

Karen At Home Blog said...

I have heard about other clocks like this bit I love how the color changes with this one! It has officially been added to
mu Amazon wish list!

Colleen said...

love this!! I should try it. My littles are up early!

Mindie Hilton said...

What a fun clock. My 9 year old lets us sleep in if we want, but my 3 year old could care less if mom is tired.

Kristina @ ReMadeSimple said...

Interesting, never heard of it-will check it out though :)

nicolette {momnivores dilemma} said...

genius. for the early bird kids.

my boys are more of the frat guy variety. it's 8, 9 sometimes and they are still out cold.

and they go to bed at 7. awesome.

but no naps. ever.

we pay somehow.

Shiloh said...

Oh my goodness! Whoever invented that is a genius! I've resigned myself to a steady wake up at 6:30 every day. It's not too early, but it sure could be later.:)

Tisha Clapp said...

I sooooo needed this when my oldest was little!! I made a paper plate clock and showed him that he couldn't get out of bed until the hands were at a certain spot, but if he woke up early he would just sit and stare at the clock till it matched the plate. Yeah, we've messed him up pretty badly. Maybe I'll get one of these for the little girls. Thanks for linking up.

Unknown said...

oh. my. gosh. I SO need to check this out! We totally need something like it for my son! Would you share it here if you haven't already?

http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2012/04/shine-on-fridays-24-and-giveaway.html

Classy Clutter said...

I love this idea!! I'm your newest follower! I'd love it if you would link this up to my link party going on now!!

http://www.classyclutter.blogspot.com/2012/04/spotlight-saturday-10.html

If you'd like to follow back we'd love to be your new bloggy friends! ;)

Mallory & Savannah @ Classy Clutter

HannahW said...

We have a bunny clock where the bunny is sleeping when it is "sleepy time" and awake when it is OK to get up!

http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2012/04/crafting-on-with-needle-and-thread.html

Unknown said...

AMAZING! I am off to Amazon.com...

Waseem said...

Whoever invented it is genius...I like the idea.


Send Flowers Pakistan
Send Flowers Pakistan
Send Flowers Pakistan

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...