A provocative parenting consultant has unveiled her unconventional method for aiding children’s sleep by encouraging parents to engage in lively playtime just before bedtime instead of opting for a traditional calming routine.
Mum-of-four Roma Norriss, based in Somerset, recommends that parents should purposely “wrestle” with their children before sleep, asserting that this could alleviate issues such as back-to-school anxiety and promote relaxation, ultimately leading to a better night’s rest.
Contrary to the customary practice of reading a soothing bedtime story, Roma advocates dedicating five minutes to half an hour for spirited playtime.
Roma Norriss, who also specializes in attachment and runs her own business, stated, “Playing with children, particularly through physical rough and tumble play, is the most effective way to prepare them for sleep. This approach helps release built-up emotional energy, leading to laughter.”
She further elaborated, “Physical contact during play puts children at ease and activates their parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation. Playing with parents provides children with a sense of relief, conveys our love for them, reduces stress, and mends minor conflicts from the day.”
Roma’s recommended forms of play include wrestling, pillow fights, and “nonsense games.” She recalled, “In our family, we created a hilarious game called ‘slug tag’ where we crawled like slugs and tagged each other using our noses. When my children were younger, I’d wrap them in a duvet like ‘sushi rolls’ and pretend to serve cucumber pieces with ‘wasabi.'”
However, she cautioned against certain games like tickling. Roma cautioned, “Although tickling was common in the past, it often makes children feel powerless, which goes against our intention. Instead, let them win – put up a good fight and express astonishment when they succeed. Injecting enthusiasm and delight, even briefly, can significantly impact the bedtime experience.”
Roma believes that this playful approach can be especially beneficial for children facing sleep challenges, aggression, separation anxiety, or picky eating habits. She concluded, “It’s a wonderful way to alleviate back-to-school anxiety.”
By introducing this alternative strategy, Roma Norriss aims to provide parents with a fresh perspective on nurturing children’s sleep habits while fostering a deeper emotional connection through playful interaction.
