• Home
  • About
  • Contact
    • Work With Me
  • My Shop
  • Start Here

A Mother Far from Home

  • Discipline
    • Toys And Play
    • Big Family
    • Family Culture
    • Diapers & Potty Training
    • Irish Twins
    • Teething
  • Emotions
  • Faith
    • Christian Holidays
    • Church Related
    • Spiritual Principles
  • Home
    • Cleaning & Chores
    • Meal Time & Eating
    • Organizing, Tidying & Decluttering
    • Emergency Preparedness For Families
  • Motherhood
    • Mental & Emotional Wholeness
    • Mother’s Helper
    • Type A Wife and Mom
    • Books to Read
    • Pregnancy
  • Routine
    • Baby Schedules & Routines
    • Toddler Routines & Schedules
    • Mom Schedules & Routines
    • School Routines
  • Sleeping
    • Sleep Troubleshooting
    • Napping Tips
    • Basic Sleep Tips
Home » Practical Parenting Tips » Family Culture » 5 Reasons Bedtime Stories are More Important Than You Think

5 Reasons Bedtime Stories are More Important Than You Think

Updated January 15, 2021

622shares

Want simple chaos-erasing family routines? Who doesn't? Check out our Family Routines Reboot!

Want simple chaos-erasing family routines? Who doesn't? Check out our Family Routines Reboot!

Love reading books to your kids at bedtime? If it's not part of your bedtime routine it should be and here are 5 reasons why

Reading bedtime stories is important for many reasons. For family bonding, exposing kids to new ideas, and even helping them calm down before bed.


It was one of the proudest moments of my short career as a mother.

My firstborn daughter was 6 months old and, earlier that week, she’d already learned to give a kiss.

I mean really, where do you go from there?

I’ll never forget the evening when, as we sat and read Go, Dog, Go, she learned to turn the pages of the book.

Countless books, countless pages later we are still reading. Often during the day and regularly as part of our bedtime routine. It is a cherished time for our kids and us that we all value.

mother reading bedtime story to toddler under sheets with a flashlight

The kids always ask for bedtime stories and, unless we are really strapped for time, it’s the one part of bedtime routine we try not to let slide.

Our bedtime routine goes something like this:

  • Leave the dinner table and run around with siblings screaming in the ecstasy that only comes pre-bedtime
  • Take a bath or shower (not every single night)
  • Brush teeth
  • Go to individual room and wait for mom and dad to come, read, and have some snuggle time (psst… it’s actually good for their brains!)

Reasons reading bedtime stories is important for kids

Every family is different and there is no cookie cutter mold. Still, research shows the undeniable benefits of reading with your toddlers and preschoolers at night before bed.

father reading book to son at bedtime under twinkle lights

You get and give lots of cuddles while reading bedtime stories

We already know that cuddling is good for our children’s brains. It’s also good for our brains. And our relationship together.

Children can sit in your lap, beside you on the chair, or you can even lay in bed with them and read. We often read in my daughter’s room with this jumbo flashlight.

You know, cause it makes things more fun.

This is a time when my children who aren’t normally big cuddlers without cause will snuggle up, play with my hair, and consent to being tickled for a time. They love both reading and the closeness it brings.

Reading at night is a great wind down

Since the hour preceding bedtime is Crazy Town over here, it’s necessary for us to have wind-down routines in place.

It’s one of the best ways to get your little ones to go to sleep without fighting, screaming, and refusing. Reading books is an excellent way to help the wind-down.

Tots will usually sit still and pay attention, which is enough to help their heart rates slow. A parent’s words are very calming to children so the mere fact you are reading – even using silly voices – can help children feel safe.

Read: How to read to kids who won’t sit still

You can choose books that speak to current life events

The other day my mother mentioned that my two middle boys don’t greet people well when spoken to. Someone will say “hello” and the boys will just stare at them blankly.

While they aren’t being purposefully “rude,” this goes against societal norms. We have an entire book series on manners, and bedtime story time is the perfect opportunity to break them out.

We’ve done this for other issues as well such as body parts, watching too much TV, why it’s important to eat healthy, and sharing.

If I know something is going on with a child, I’ll choose a book that speaks to that issue and then engage them in conversation throughout.

ek reading in bed

Bedtime is a great opportunity for individual time

If you have multiple children at home you know the struggle to find time to spend with your children individually. They want it. You want it. It’s undeniably beneficial, and yet it’s hard to fit in.

Because of that, we do bedtime routines for each child individually.

My husband and I divide and conquer. We rotate who gets who depending on the night and which parent the child asks for.

This means that if we had a super busy day, there are at least 15+ minutes a day where the child gets a parent’s undivided attention. It may not seem like much, but our kids eat it up.

Bedtime is the calmest and quiet part of the day

While we will read during other parts of the day, it’s often difficult for the kids to pay attention and concentrate. Right before a meal or snack, kids are hungry. Right after an intense playtime, they may be wound up.

At night, however, their own drive to sleep calms them down. As soon the door closes, the lights dim, and we sit in the chair or lay on the bed calmness starts to reign.

Their fidgeting and wiggles start to lessen and they pay attention to what’s happening. Okay, maybe 2-year-olds never fully calm down, but even toddlers will lay their heads back on your shoulder and get into the groove.

In our home, the bedtime read is one of calmest and most enjoyable times of the day.

::

Want to learn your parenting style?

Each of us have our own personality, temperament, and giftings. And, the truth is, we parent best when we work with these instead of against them. Take this assessment so you can work to your strengths, and be the mom you want to be for yourself and your children.

Rachel

New to this community? Start here, friend.

622shares

Filed Under: Family Culture, Practical Parenting Tips8

« Mom Morning Routines: Bring Order & Sanity To Your Day
45+ Easy Outdoor Games And Activities For Kids Your Family Will Love »

Recommended For You From Our Shop

Family Culture Planning Pack

Strong Families Don't Happen By Accident

Strong and happy families have carefully crafted Family Cultures.

They don't let guilt drive them, rather they spend their time and energy digging deep into a few key family areas that pay off in spades.

Families don't need to do more and more things, they just need to focus their attention on a few key areas that make for strong families, then repeat those over and over.

Click to Learn More

I'm Rachel, mother of 5 young kids living in the Florida panhandle with my Australian husband. I write about family culture, family rhythms and routines, and boundaries in motherhood and life. You can see snippets of my daily life here and visit my shop for baby sleep, organizing, and routine help.

“Inside my brain”

Geeezzz, it was like you were inside my brain today!  (and most days recently)  I needed this badly.

Thank you!!!
Andrea P.

“Nothing was working…”

I just wanted to say thank you for your easy peasy routine for 2 year olds! I day-weaned my 2 year old a month ago and have been trying everything to get him to go down for a nap without the nursing. Nothing was working and I was starting to think he would never have a nap again.

Anyways I started following your routine and we just sat in bed and had what I told him was “quiet time.” We sat and read and made a fort and had warm milk. Then today I told him it was quiet time again and he tried to escape the bed a couple times, but in the end he snuggled up after the warm bottle and fell asleep for 3 hours! I was almost in tears I was so excited! So thank you!

Meghan

“Thanks for your bundle!”

Thanks for for doing this Everyday Mom Super Bundle sale. I’m four months into my parenthood journey with a sweet and spirited boy.

I was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated just yesterday, thinking if only I had the right resources and “trail guides” I could figure this all out. Your sale is serendipitous. I can’t wait to dig into my download materials and start learning from your tips.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Lauren N.

“It’s a breath of fresh air”

I just wanted to let you know that your blog and emails have been a tremendous help to me. Your practical, honest, and humble writing is a breath of fresh air!

With help and encouragement drawn from your writing, I have made some incredible changes in the order (and sanity) of our home, in just the past few weeks. My kids are doing chores daily, and I also have clearer expectations of myself.

My husband is in awe!

Which helps reinforce what you said- the problem wasn’t me; it was my systems. Our home is in much better order, and so is my mind. So, thank you!!!! You have made a difference for me and my family.

Ann S.

“We are slowly getting back to normal…”

I stumbled upon your blog one morning after praying night after night for God to fix my home! I had just had a baby this May 1st and also have a 2 and 4 year old and my home broke out in complete chaos!

Even my marriage seemed like it was on the brink of extinction and this had happened in 2 weeks! I read numerous amounts of your entries and applied them to my home life and I am happy to say we are slowly getting back to normal. Thank you Rachel! 

Madison S.

“You’ve been a life saver!”

I’m a first time mom to a 15 day old baby girl. I had no idea what I was doing and couldn’t get her to sleep in her crib until I found your blog.

You’ve been a life saver!

Candace R.

“Within a week or two our little girl changed!”

I tumbled into post partum depression/anxiety and didn’t know what to do anymore. I was a mess, baby girl was a mess and I don’t even know how my husband was dealing with it all… 

I googled everything I could think about but there was never really something that felt right, that felt genuine instead of just telling do’s and don’ts. 

And then I found your website and read your pieces about sleeping and eating. I carefully read through your schedules and decided to try it.

IT WORKED!! 

And within a week or two our little girl changed from a frustrated baby into this happy dappy smiling ray of sunshine, that is able to settle herself down by sucking on her fists, even in the middle of the night. At 12 weeks baby girl slept through the night and now at 20 weeks old she sleeps a good 10 to 12 hours every night. 

I just wanted to thank you for sharing your experience online. The way you wrote your experiences made it understandable, seeing it from the babys side but also the moms side. Maybe we were lucky that your way fitted our baby, but it worked and I tell it to everyone that wants to know!

Stephanie P.

“Had tremendous success from Day One!”

I just wanted to thank you for your sample routine.  I’ve been using it for a week with my 13 month old and had tremendous success from day 2! Wind down time is so important and so is consistency.  Thank you so much!!!

Sam M.

“In a few short days…”

I am grateful to have found your blog, as I do a great deal of searching on Pinterest when I am up against a parenting moment that I do not feel qualified to handle.

I will say though that since reading your blog I am really focusing on remembering that every moment is a learning \ experience for my son and I try to take a breath and count to ten. In the few short days that I have been exercising this method I truly have noticed a change for the better in his response to me.

Tami K.

Comments

  1. Melisa says

    What are some of your favorite children’s books for the topics you mention above (manners, healthy eating, body parts, watching too much tv, and sharing)? We have a Reading Aloud well established in our house full of Littles, but are always on the lookout for good reads. Love as many specific suggestions/lists as you can make!

    Reply
    • Rachel Norman says

      Melisa, let me work up a post on this, okay?

      Reply
  2. Brianna says

    I absolutely love this!! I have a two year old and a one year old and they both love to sit and read books! My two year old is very rambunctious, but when bedtime rolls around he loves to pick out his “two books” and cuddle up on Mama’s lap! It’s my favorite time of the day!

    Reply
    • Rachel Norman says

      LOVE bedtime :)

      Reply
  3. Matt says

    You’ve got to try Novel Effect! Adds sound effects and music to you reading a kids book aloud! http://www.novel-effect.com

    Reply
  4. Alicia Byrne says

    I think you made a great suggestion to choose a book that speaks to a particular issue to communicate with our children. My son dislikes vegetables and I’m having a hard time getting him to eat his greens. I can try using a bedtime storybook that talks about eating healthily to engage him into eating more fibres in his diet.

    Reply
    • Rachel Norman says

      Absolutely, bedtime stories are a great way to bring up talks about various issues as well!

      Reply
  5. Janet Councilman says

    I appreciate the sincerity of this write-up of yours. Can’t wait to see more!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hey y'all, I'm Rachel Norman, BA, MS, Language of Listening® parenting coach, mother to 5 babies in 5 years on 3 continents, no multiples. Join me in parenting without losing your mind. Read More >>

Search

Copyright © 2021 All Rights Reserved | A Mother Far From Home | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility














15 Minute Projects To Get Your Home In Order

In just 15 minutes a night (while you're in your pj's!) take your home from stressed out to organized with these 101+ 15 minute projects. 


envelope
envelope
close
x