🧑🧑🧒Family ‘advice’🧑🧑🧒
We are very fortunate that our family support our boys’ routines regarding nap and bedtimes 100%. They have seen the struggles we have faced and will always respect our wishes if looking after them to follow our routines. It makes everything so much easier for the boys and those looking after them!
However, over our 7 years of being parents, we have faced comments from people such as ‘back in our day we didn’t do any of this and our babies slept’ or ‘ah just keep them up they’ll be ok!’.
Explaining the importance of your baby’s sleep routine to family and friends can be tricky—especially if they have different parenting views or just want to help in their own way.
Here’s how you can approach it with clarity and kindness:
💬 How to explain it simply and effectively:
1. Start with empathy and appreciation
“I really appreciate how much you love and care for our baby. That support means the world to us.”
2. Emphasise your baby’s well-being
“We’ve found that a consistent sleep routine really helps our baby sleep better and stay happier during the day.”
3. Frame it as a health and development need, not just a preference
“Just like feeding and nappy changes, sleep is crucial for their brain development, mood, and growth. When the routine gets off track, it can throw off their whole day—and night.”
4. Set boundaries kindly but firmly
“So even if it feels a bit strict sometimes it’s really important we stick with it for their sake.”
5. Invite their help
“If you’d like to help, just following the nap or bedtime routine with us would be amazing. It really makes a difference!”
🧠 Bonus Tips
* Share success: Mention how the routine has helped—e.g., “They’re finally sleeping through the night!”—to show the benefit.
* Use analogies: “It’s kind of like jet lag—if you get thrown off your schedule, it takes a while to reset.”
At the end of the day, they are your babies, you are their parents and you know what works best for them. Sometimes a polite smile and nod whilst listening to their advice before continuing as you are is needed! ❤️
