Bedtime Battles“My daughter is 3.5 years old, and recently she has made bedtime a bit of a challenge. She completes her routine but as soon as we kiss goodnight she becomes anxious, asks questions, and calls out repeatedly after we leave.” — Angelica Dear Angelica, here are some Positive Discipline ideas to support your bedtime routine: Allow her to have her feelings and label them. After the final tuck-in, acknowledge: “Honey, I see you’d like me to stay longer. It’s okay to be disappointed, but it’s bedtime now. I love you and I’m in the house.” Repeated calm walks back to bed help her learn limits while validating emotions. From her point of view, bedtime may feel like she is being “abandoned.” Reassure her outside of bedtime: “We love you and enjoy evenings together, but now it’s time for rest.” Bedtime isn’t about “obedience,” it’s about learning self-regulation. Consider her calls and drama as exploration of boundaries and how you handle them. She is learning from your calm responses.
Reading Positive Discipline for Preschoolers can provide additional strategies. Focus on connection, empathy, and allowing feelings while maintaining bedtime limits. Talk in first person: “I love you and now I’m going downstairs to read my book” instead of referencing yourself in third person. | 
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