Bedtime Blues

bedtime compromise magic question Apr 14, 2025
A child in bed looking out the window holding a spherical light

Dear Parent,

Sharing power is one of the best ways to get your challenging child to be a bit less, well, challenging. When your child resists shifting from one thing to another, try this magic question:

Okay Sweetie Pie, time to go to bed.  

“Noooooooo!!! I'm not done!”

How much more time do you need? This is the magic question.

“Ten minutes.”

Let's compromise--five more minutes. 

“Awww, okay.”

Two minutes later, he is done and down the hall to the bedroom.

I know you don't believe me, so start small and build up to bedtime.

Crazy as it seems, I raised some seriously reasonable kids.  I worried that would never happen.  I often had pathetically low faith, coupled with monumental fear. Good thing I kept putting one foot in front of the other.  Just like you.

Keep the faith. Keep walking forward.

Love Matters,

❤️Ce

Creator of the Love+ Parenting Model found only in the Love Matters Parenting Society Therapeutic Parent Program.

📖 Get your copy of Drowning with My Hair On Fire: Insanity Relief for Adoptive Parents by Ce Eshelman

✨ Hear the Success Stories: LoveMattersParenting.com/testimonials

🎧 Listen to my podcast: Unmuted Love with Ce Eshelman at your favorite place to listen.

📖 Get your copy of Drowning with My Hair On Fire: Insanity Relief for Adoptive Parents by Ce Eshelman

✨ Hear the Success Stories: LoveMattersParenting.com/testimonials

 🔍 Check out my websites: LoveMattersParenting.com and AttachPlace.com

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