Page 111 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2021

60-67 for optimal sleep. We just sleep better at night in a cooler bedroom.
Keep your child’s bedding clean and comfortable with lots of options for temperature control. We like having a top sheet, lighter blanket, and a comforter. Keep an extra blanket or comforter handy for those very few South Mississippi “winter” nights.
There are loads of cute bedding options for children. We know it’s hard to resist, but consider staying away from loud, busy prints. Keep cartoon characters
in their books, not on the sheets! Add a comfortable oversized pillow for cuddling, a soft rug on the oor, and a cushy chair for additional comfort. Include covered
storage boxes or closet shelving to reduce clutter and stimulation, even when the lights are out.
In today’s crazy world there is one
habit that adversely a ects sleeping more than any other and it’s a tough one.
You guessed it – screens! Resist putting
a television in your child’s room and consider creating a media use rule to cover everything else. It will be a big deal to tackle this issue but trust us, phones, iPads, and computers just don’t support good sleep. The arti cial light they emit is harmful to a child’s sleeping rhythm and can actually disrupt deeper sleep when cell regeneration takes place. Consider setting up a charging station outside of
your child’s bedroom where all electronics are left at night.
A warm bath, teeth brushing, and reading books can all be a part of a nice routine. Put all the toys, clothes, and clutter away each evening. Dim the lights and take a few moments for quiet talk with your child. Tell them to “sleep tight,” a phrase from our childhoods we nd incredibly comforting. Take a minute to breathe and re ect on how grateful you are for that little person you are tucking
in each night. Send them o to sleep knowing they are loved and appreciated. And don’t forget to turn the lights o on your way out.
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry. Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net April 2021 | 111
Covered storage areas reduce clutter and stimulation.