What works when ‘just five more minutes’ turns into a nightly battle? 

Parenting Perspective 

Nightly bedtime battles can exhaust even the most patient parent. What begins as a calm routine often ends in endless negotiations and pleas for ‘just five more minutes’, leaving everyone feeling frustrated. When this becomes a recurring pattern, it suggests that boundaries have become blurred and emotions are guiding the routine more than structure. The solution is not necessarily more strictness or flexibility, but a restoration of consistency, guided by empathy and foresight. 

Look for the Need Behind the Request 

Children rarely ask for extra time simply to delay bedtime. The request often reflects deeper needs, such as a craving for connection, difficulty with transitions, or overstimulation from the day. When you hear that familiar phrase, pause to consider what your child may actually be asking for. Are they seeking comfort? Is their environment too stimulating? Understanding the reason behind their resistance helps you to address the cause, not just the behaviour. 

Prioritise Connection Before Bedtime 

When a child feels emotionally secure and connected, they transition more easily. Spend five to ten minutes before bedtime in quiet connection through a short conversation, a story, or a gentle cuddle. When a child’s emotional needs are met, they are less likely to demand those extra minutes later. Make this connection a fixed part of the routine, not a tool for negotiation. 

Establish a Consistent and Calm Routine 

Children feel most secure when expectations are consistent. Explain the bedtime steps clearly at a neutral time, not in the middle of a conflict. 

‘After your shower and story, it is lights out. If we finish on time, we will have a moment for a quiet chat before sleep.’ 

This makes the routine predictable and gives your child a sense of control within established limits. When they test the boundary, remain calm and steady. 

‘I know you would like more time, but bedtime is now. We can talk more in the morning.’ 

Each time you hold the boundary with quiet consistency, the habit of arguing loses its power. 

Spiritual Insight 

Bedtime is a sacred transition from activity to reflection. It mirrors life’s rhythm of effort followed by rest, and it offers an opportunity to teach mindfulness and gratitude. In Islam, the way we end our day shapes the peace of our night. 

The Blessing of Rest in the Noble Quran 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Nabaa (78), Verses 9-10: 

‘And We designed your sleep (as a form of) rejuvenation. And We designed the night as a veil (for your respite).’ 

This verse reminds us that sleep is not a mere pause but a mercy from Allah Almighty, designed to renew the human soul. Teaching a child to value bedtime as an act of care for the body helps them see it not as a restriction, but as a part of a divine and balanced rhythm. When the home settles peacefully, it becomes a space of gratitude. 

The Habit of Tranquil Nights in the Teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6311, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘When you go to bed, perform ablution as you do for prayer, then lie on your right side and say: “O Allah, I submit myself to You”’ 

This Hadith teaches us that even preparing for sleep can be an act of devotion. Encouraging children to end their day with wudu and remembrance reframes bedtime from something imposed to something sacred. It replaces resistance with meaning, helping them associate rest with closeness to Allah Almighty rather than with lost playtime. 

Every plea for ‘five more minutes’ is an opportunity to strengthen consistency and nurture faith. When you stand firm with warmth, your child learns that love and limits can exist together. Spiritually, your patience at bedtime is a quiet act of worship, training both your heart and your child’s toward serenity. The peace you establish in those final moments of the day lingers long after the lights go out, becoming the gentle rhythm through which your child learns responsibility, contentment, and trust.