The Bedtime Guide

Bedtime Help for Sensitive, Imaginative Kids: The Complete Guide (That Actually Works)
Bedtime Help for Sensitive, Imaginative Kids: The Complete Guide (That Actually Works)
I built Play & Oak because bedtime was breaking me. My sensitive, imaginative kids would lie in bed for an hour saying, "My brain won't stop." They'd call me back... Read more...
Bedtime Help for Sensitive, Imaginative Kids: The Complete Guide (That Actually Works)
Bedtime Help for Sensitive, Imaginative Kids: The Complete Guide (That Actually Works)
I built Play & Oak because bedtime was breaking me. My sensitive, imaginative kids would lie in bed for an hour saying, "My brain won't stop." They'd call me back... Read more...
Why Comfort Stories Matter More Than Moral Lessons
Why Comfort Stories Matter More Than Moral Lessons
Comfort stories help children feel safe and calm. Learn why gentle, reassuring stories matter more than lessons, especially at bedtime. Read more...
The Quiet Power of Repetition in Children’s Stories
The Quiet Power of Repetition in Children’s Stories
Many parents wonder why children ask for the same bedtime story every night. Repetition isn’t a lack of imagination — it’s a sign of emotional regulation. Why repetition matters Predictability... Read more...
Screen-Free Bedtime Routines That Work for Overstimulated Children
Screen-Free Bedtime Routines That Work for Overstimulated Children
Screens promise calm but often deliver the opposite. For overstimulated kids, the light, sound, and pacing of screens keep the brain in an alert state, even when their eyes look... Read more...
Why Some Kids Feel Everything So Deeply
Why Some Kids Feel Everything So Deeply
Some children feel emotions more intensely than others. Joy is bigger. Disappointment lasts longer. Small moments carry weight. This emotional depth often appears alongside sensitivity and imagination. Signs of emotionally... Read more...
What to Do When Your Child “Can’t Turn Their Brain Off” at Night
What to Do When Your Child “Can’t Turn Their Brain Off” at Night
When a child says, “My brain won’t stop,” they aren’t being difficult — they’re being honest. Their mind is still processing the day. Helpful Tools Name it“You had a big-thinking... Read more...
Why Bedtime Is Harder for Highly Imaginative Kids (And What Actually Helps)
Why Bedtime Is Harder for Highly Imaginative Kids (And What Actually Helps)
If bedtime feels harder in your house than it seems to be for other families, you’re not imagining it. Highly imaginative kids don’t simply go to sleep. Their minds stay... Read more...