One of the things I love most about motherhood is how close I am with my children. I’ve created that safe little bubble where they come to me with everything, problems, milestones, playground gossip, the tiniest, most random thoughts. I am always the first person they want to tell, and honestly, that warms my heart more than anything.
It also gives me that quiet reassurance that maybe I’m doing alright at this whole parenting thing. Because let’s be honest, we all sit there wondering if we are good enough, don’t we?
And according to Nila, who reminds me daily, I am, in fact, the best mum in the world, so I’ll take that.
Because we are that close, we have basically been attached since day one. Co-sleeping, cuddles, her little hand finding mine in the night, she’s my best little mate. Which is lovely, until you try to work out how to help your child sleep in their own room without it turning into a full-on bedtime battle.
If you have ever found yourself googling “how to get your child to sleep in their own bed” at silly o’clock, you are not alone.
Creating a calm and consistent bedtime routine for Nila was the turning point, and a big part of that routine has been the Yoto Player.
Now I’m not saying it’s some sort of magical fix, because if anyone invents that, I’ll be first in the queue, but it has genuinely helped us when it comes to helping our child sleep independently.
We have turned her room into her space. Not just somewhere she’s sent at night, but somewhere she actually wants to be, and I think that’s a huge part of getting children to sleep in their own room; it has to feel safe, cosy, and a little bit exciting.
We usually start with an episode of the series we are watching, at the minute, it's a series of unfortunate events, or we have what we call a little “bedroom disco”, a quick burst of energy before winding down. At the moment, she’s obsessed with her Olivia Dean Yoto card, and I love that the Yoto isn’t just stories. You’ve got music, podcasts, radio, and even the option to create your own cards, which makes it feel really personal to them.
Once she’s had her moment, things start to slow down. She will pop on Yoto Radio while she’s getting comfy, and it just fills the room in the calmest way. No screens, no flashing lights. Then we move on to audiobooks, which have honestly become one of my favourite parts of the day. At the moment, we are listening to Matilda, and there’s something so lovely about her lying there, completely absorbed in the story, but also settling into sleep in her own space.
I think that’s what’s really helped when it comes to encouraging a child to sleep in their own room, it’s not about forcing independence overnight. It’s about giving them comfort while they learn it.
The night light on the Yoto has been another big win for us. It’s soft and cosy, not too bright, and just enough to take away that “my room is too dark” feeling. It’s become part of her sleep routine now. The story finishes, light dims, and she knows it’s time to settle.
So does it actually help children sleep in their own room?
For us, yes, massively.
Do we still get the odd wake-up? Of course we do. She’s nine, not a robot, but the difference now is she settles back much more easily, and she actually wants to start the night in her own bed, which felt impossible before.
Also, the morning feature has ended up being her favourite part too, which is a surprise. Nila hates waking up on a school morning, but the little alarm wakes her up and she absolutely loves it. It gives her that sense of independence, like she’s in charge of her own routine now.
She’s turning nine soon, and I honestly can’t believe my last baby is suddenly this big girl who sleeps in her own room, has her own bedtime routine, and doesn’t need me quite as much at night.
We are still super close. She still sneaks in for cuddles. But now, her room isn’t somewhere she avoids, and if you are in that stage of trying to help your child sleep in their own room, just know it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Sometimes it’s just about finding the little things that make them feel safe enough to try.
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