Bedtime shouldn’t feel like a nightly hostage negotiation, but sleep crutches can sneak in fast. One more snack. One more kiss. One more trip to the bathroom. And before you know it, you’re spending hours managing a routine that keeps expanding while everyone gets less sleep.

I’m Flora McCormick, a licensed therapist and parenting coach, and I’m walking you through how to spot the sleep crutch that’s driving your bedtime battles and what to do next with kindness and firmness.

We dig into why these patterns are so sticky: your child’s brain learns, “I need this external thing to fall asleep,” and every time we provide it, the belief gets stronger. The goal here isn’t harsh discipline or letting fear run the show. It’s helping your child build the muscles of falling asleep and returning to sleep on their own.

And for more details on this practical roadmap, check out our episode on "Sleep Strategies to End Bedtime Battles": https://sustainableparenting.com/how-to-end-bedtime-battles-and-get-your-nights-back/

Friend the outline for today is simple.

1. Be willing to suffer with a purpose (because change can be hard before it gets better),

2. Create a three-step plan your child can follow when they feel scared or restless,

3. Use a "teach, practice, praise" system so the skill actually sticks.

I also point you to a free progressive muscle relaxation tool that I share with clients because it works, especially for kids who struggle with nighttime anxiety. Here it is! https://youtu.be/cDKyRpW-Yuc?si=uyRn8p_rpNICTsy_

And don’t miss next week’s guest conversation on ADHD and why the real issue may be executive functioning more than “attention.”

Subscribe, share this with a tired parent friend, and leave a review so more families can find calmer nights.

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