How can I prevent sibling hype from undoing the bedtime routine? 

Parenting Perspective 

When siblings share a room or get ready for bed at the same time, the routine can quickly dissolve into a lively session of giggles, whispers, and playful energy. While this interaction is a wonderful part of their bond, it often delays sleep and can lead to overtired children the next morning. A calm, structured approach can help them enjoy their connection without letting the hype undo the routine. 

Establish a Clear Family Rule for Bedtime 

Establish a simple and clear expectation for the entire family that bedtime is a time for quiet. Frame it as a shared responsibility for creating a peaceful home. 

• You can state the rule clearly before the routine begins: ‘Bedtime is a time for calm voices and resting bodies so everyone can get the sleep they need.’ 

• This sets the expectation in advance and reduces the need for correction later. 

Create a Shared Wind-Down Period 

Give your children a designated space for connection before they are expected to be silent. This honours their need to bond while still maintaining clear boundaries. 

• You could allow for five to ten minutes of quiet chatting or sharing a story together once they are in their beds. 

• Signal the end of this time with a calm phrase like, ‘That was a lovely chat. Now it is time for our bodies to be quiet and rest.’ 

This period of quiet connection can help them settle more easily. 

Use Gentle Separation as a Consequence 

If the excitement and noise continue after the agreed-upon quiet time, have a calm and predictable consequence ready. This should be presented as a natural outcome, not a punishment. 

• You might say, ‘It seems it is too hard to be quiet together tonight. One of you will need to finish getting ready in another room.’ 

• This calmly reinforces the idea that the shared space is for resting, not for extended play. 

Reinforce Cooperation with Praise 

When your children manage to settle down quickly and respect the quiet time, acknowledge their effort the next morning. Positive reinforcement is a powerful motivator. 

• You could say, ‘You both did a wonderful job of becoming calm and quiet last night. It helped our whole family rest well.’ 

• Connecting their cooperative behaviour to a positive outcome, like a more peaceful morning, helps the lesson stick. 

Spiritual Insight 

The bond between siblings is a precious mercy from Allah, and gentle discipline is a means of protecting that blessing. Islam teaches us to foster kindness and mutual respect between siblings while guiding them towards routines that bring peace to the home. 

The Importance of Tranquility in the Home 

Allah Almighty reminds us that He has placed affection and mercy between family members so that we may find tranquility with one another. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Rome (30), Verse 21: 

‘And amongst His Signs (of the infinite truth) are that He (Allah Almighty) created for you, your (matrimonial) partners from your species so that you may find tranquillity from them; and designed between you love, tolerance and kindness…’ 

While this verse specifically mentions spouses, the principle extends to the entire family. Guiding our children towards a calm and peaceful bedtime is a way of nurturing the tranquility that Allah intends for our homes. 

The Prophetic Call for Mutual Care 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that a core part of faith is to care for the well-being of one’s brother or sister. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 45, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.’ 

This beautiful Hadith can be shared with siblings as a reminder that helping each other get the rest they need at night is an act of love and a reflection of true faith.