The Dreamtime Blog
Bedtime story ideas
& sleep tips for parents
Better bedtimes, happier mornings.
Practical guides on bedtime routines, storytelling, and raising well-rested children.
Too Hot to Sleep? How to Keep Your Child's Bedroom at the Right Temperature for Better Rest
A bedroom that is too warm is one of the most overlooked reasons children toss, turn and wake in the night. Here is how to find the ideal temperature, choose the right bedding and pyjamas, and help a sweaty, restless child cool down calmly.
Bilingual Bedtime: How to Share Stories in Two Languages Without Confusing Your Child
Raising a child with two languages? Bedtime is one of the best moments to nurture both. Here is how to share stories in more than one language, keep it relaxed, and build vocabulary without the pressure.
Late Clubs and Early Bedtimes: How to Protect Sleep When Evening Activities Run Late
Swimming at 6pm, football until 7:30, a dance class that finishes just before bath time: evening activities are great for children, but they can squeeze bedtime to breaking point. Here is how to keep sleep steady on busy club nights without giving up the things your child loves.
Sunday Night Blues in Children: How to Make the Evening Before School Calm, Not Tearful
If Sunday evenings in your house bring grumpiness, tummy aches or tears, you are far from alone. Here is how to understand the Sunday night blues in children and build a gentle weekly rhythm that makes Sunday bedtime calmer for everyone.
My Child Won't Sit Still for Stories: How to Enjoy Bedtime Reading With a Wriggly, Reluctant Listener
Not every child curls up quietly for a bedtime story, and that is completely normal. Here is how to make storytime work for wrigglers, wanderers and reluctant listeners, without forcing it or giving up.
Should You Take Away Bedtime Stories as a Punishment? What to Do Instead After a Hard Day
It's tempting to say "no story tonight" after a day of bad behaviour. But is it a good idea? Here's why bedtime stories work best as a connection, not a consequence, and what to try instead.
"But You Get to Stay Up!" How to Handle Bedtime FOMO When Your Child Thinks They're Missing Out
Does your child protest bedtime because they're convinced the fun starts the moment they leave the room? Bedtime FOMO is common in children aged 3 to 10, and it responds well to gentle, practical changes. Here's how to make going to bed feel like a gain rather than a loss.
Starting From Scratch: How to Build a Bedtime Routine When Your Child Has Never Had One
Never had a bedtime routine and wondering if it's too late? It isn't. Here is a gentle, week-by-week plan for introducing a bedtime routine to a toddler, preschooler or school-age child who has never had one.
Bedtime for a Child With ADHD: Calm, Realistic Routines That Help Busy Brains Wind Down
Bedtime can feel like climbing a mountain when your child has ADHD or ADHD-like traits. This guide shares gentle, practical strategies for helping a busy brain slow down, from predictable routines to movement breaks and calming stories.
Home After Bedtime: How to Stay Connected With Your Child When You Work Late or Do Shifts
If you work late, do shift work, or commute long hours, missing bedtime can feel heartbreaking. Here is how to build a real bedtime connection with your child, even when you are not in the room at lights out.
Tooth-Brushing at Bedtime: How to End the Battle and Make It a Calm, Happy Habit
Clamped lips, wriggling bodies and a toothbrush that mysteriously vanishes: tooth-brushing is one of the most common bedtime flashpoints. Here is how to understand why children resist it and how to turn it into a calm, even enjoyable part of the wind-down.
Ready for a First Sleepover? How to Prepare Your Child (and Yourself) for a Night Away From Home
A first sleepover is a big milestone, and it can bring excitement, nerves and a few wobbly moments after lights out. Here is how to know when your child is ready, how to prepare them, and what to do if they want to come home at midnight.