The mother of a preschooler tells the nurse that the child has started crying and resisting going to sleep at the scheduled bedtime.Which of the following actions should the nurse advise the parent to take?

A) Offer the child a bedtime snack.
B) Eliminate one of the naps during the day.
C) Allow the child to sleep longer in the mornings.
D) Maintain consistency in the same bedtime ritual.

It is most important that the parent maintain a consistent bedtime routine.If a bedtime snack is already part of that routine,then this is allowable.If it is not,then the child might use having a snack only as a measure of procrastination.After 3 years of age,the child may give up daytime naps.A bedtime routine used consistently will be more effective in helping the child resist going to sleep during the day.Allowing the child to sleep longer in the mornings will not aid in establishing a consistent sleep pattern.The same regular bedtime and wake-up schedule should be maintained.