Why Most Sleep Advice Isn’t Solving Your Child’s Bedtime Struggles

If bedtime has become the most stressful part of your day, you’re not alone.

🌙 In fact, about 1 in 3 school-aged kids struggle with chronic bedtime problems—from refusing to sleep alone, to feeling terrified of the dark, to lying awake for hours with anxious thoughts.

You may have a child who won’t fall asleep unless you’re lying next to them. Maybe they panic over every little noise. Or they ask for one more drink, one more hug, one more check under the bed… night after night.

You’ve probably tried everything—weighted blankets, white noise, essential oils, bedtime meditations, monster spray, new routines. And while those things might help a little, they often don’t get to the root of what’s really going on.

That’s because most sleep advice only focuses on one half of the puzzle.

🧩 Part One: Helping Kids Feel More at Ease

This is where most strategies—and probably a good amount of your budget—have already gone.

You’ve tried to create the perfect bedtime setup:

A white noise machine humming in the background
Soft sheets, cozy pajamas, and a favorite stuffed animal
Soothing lavender spray on the pillow
A dimmable nightlight in just the right corner
Sleep meditations or breathing exercises
A consistent bedtime routine
Maybe even a sticker chart, a gate, or “monster spray”

And let’s be clear: these tools absolutely help. Especially mindfulness practices, which can do wonders for helping kids tune into their bodies and settle before sleep.

They’re important. But they’re only half the story.

Because if your child is still struggling with anxious feelings at night—still avoiding sleep, still afraid to be alone, still clinging to routines with rising panic—then what you’re seeing is more than just trouble falling asleep.

You’re seeing fear. And calming tools are the first step—but kids also need to build the confidence to face what feels scary.

🧩 Part Two: Helping Kids Feel Brave

This is the piece most bedtime advice misses.

When kids are facing fears about the dark, separation, or nighttime noises, it’s not enough to help them feel relaxed. They also need help building the inner confidence to face what feels scary—and discover that they can handle it.

That’s where lasting change happens.

It’s instinctual as parents to reassure our kids and remove anything that makes them anxious or afraid. But sometimes, the most meaningful thing we can do is help them learn that they’re strong enough to move through it.

How do you do that? Gently. Playfully. One small step at a time-with the right kind of support.

April 18th: A Different Kind of Bedtime Help

That belief—that kids don’t just need to feel calm, they need to feel capable—is what led me to create something new.

It’s called the Bedtime Box and it’s not just about soothing nighttime worries. It’s about helping your child build real bravery, right where they need it most: at bedtime.

It’s screen-free. It’s therapist informed. And it’s designed to be used with kids ages 6–10 in just a few minutes a night.

Our store opens on April 18th with a limited supply! Join the waitlist to be notified when we go live!

Hi, I’m Liz—a parent who’s walked the winding path of childhood anxiety. That experience inspired a deep commitment to helping other families feel more supported, equipped, and hopeful.

I create screen-free, therapist-informed tools—like the Bravery Boxes—that help kids build confidence while bringing families closer together.

Each resource is thoughtfully designed to be both comprehensive and easy to use, with just the right balance of fun and function. Because I know firsthand that when you're worried about your child, you need something that works—without adding more to your plate.

I bring a blend of lived experience, ongoing study in child and family mental health, and close collaboration with pediatric professionals to everything I create. The result? Practical, engaging tools that are rooted in research—but built for real life.

At the heart of it all, my goal is simple: to help families grow more connected, confident, and resilient—one small step at a time.