02/18/2026
The Simple 10-Minute Parenting Shift That Can End Bedtime Battles
Research shows that just 10â15 minutes of undivided, child-led attention each day can significantly improve child behaviorâand yes, that includes bedtime struggles.
Why? Because it fills your childâs âattention cup.â đ
When that cup feels empty, children often seek attention in the only way they know howâthrough resistance, big emotions, and bedtime battles. After all, negative behavior almost always guarantees a parentâs full focus, especially at night when everyone is exhausted.
đ Hereâs the shift that works: intentional one-on-one time.
According to research from the School of Medicine at Indiana University Bloomington:
âĄď¸ Children crave their parentsâ attention and will seek itâpositive or negative.
âĄď¸ Giving attention to positive behavior reduces the need for negative behavior.
âĄď¸ Child-led one-on-one time helps kids feel valued, secure, and emotionally connected.
âĄď¸ Even short daily interactions teach children that their interests matter.
đ§Š How to use this for better sleep:
Aim for 10â15 minutes daily of uninterrupted, one-on-one time
Let your child lead the activity (no correcting, teaching, or multitasking)
Keep it separate from the bedtime routine
We often recommend fitting it in between dinner and bedtime, when possible
đŠđŚ Canât make that timing work? Thatâs okay. What matters most is consistency, presence, and letting your child take the leadâeven earlier in the day.
⨠Struggling with bedtime battles, stalling, or resistance at night?
Tap the đ in bio to book a FREE discovery call. Weâll walk you through our sleep-focused parenting approach so you can turn bedtime battles into sleep successâfor everyone.