How does your family say goodbye to one year and welcome in the next? Chances are it depends on how old your kids are. With two tweens, there’s a stronger likelihood that they’ll be wide awake to ring in the New Year when the clock strikes twelve but in their younger years, both kids fell fast asleep well before the ball dropped. My husband and I never had to trick them into thinking it was later than it was because pure exhaustion got the best of them.
Yesterday Netflix’s 2016 Kids New Year’s Eve Countdown videos raised eyebrows across the internet as they touted being able to “celebrate as a family and still have time for a parents-only party with a whole new set of New Year’s Eve countdowns on Netflix designed for preschoolers, tweens and everyone in between… With six on-demand countdown specials launching today, you can make 10, 9, 8 or any time midnight. You choose when it’s time to say goodnight and the kids choose how to celebrate with their favorite characters”
E! News reported that Netflix Will Totally Trick Your Kids Into Going to Bed Early on New Year’s Eve and Today Show’s segment headline agreed despite the fact that the segment anchors called the rest of the short content videos “a good idea.”
So what’s a parent to do especially if you’re among the 58% who would jump at the chance to put your kids to bed before the clock strikes twelve on New Year’s Eve?
Parents of little kids who struggle to stay awake as the New Year approaches and regret the late bedtime the day after, can use Netflix’s New Year’s Eve Countdown Videos to conclude an evening of fun in an honest way that’s healthy for everyone. Here are some tips on how to integrate Netflix’s 2016 countdown videos into your New Year’s Eve celebration without lying to your kids. After all, honestly is always the best policy at any age and especially as you ring in a new year even if it is well before midnight!
Write Out Your Evening Agenda
Kids thrive on routines and New Year’s Eve is no different. While it is a special night where they may get to do some different things than they’re used to, young kids feel comforted when they know what to expect and when. Spend some time during the day talking about what you’re going to do this evening. Write them down and let your kids cross them off as you go. A list serves as visual reminder and the act of crossing things off as you go serves as its own special countdown towards bedtime.
Let Them Stay Up a Bit Later
Parents of young kids who know their children won’t make it until Midnight should figure out a time just past their normal bedtime to ring in the New Year. Talk with your kids about how it’s a special night and that this means they can stay up a bit later but be firm about the activities that lead up to bedtime. This allows some flexibility about the time of bedtime based on how exhausted or energetic your kids are but still provides the fun of using Netflix’s New Year’s Eve countdown videos to countdown to bedtime. Just search New Year’s Eve Countdown on Netflix when you’re ready.
Emphasize Waking Up in 2016
As you kiss your kids goodnight, emphasize that they’ll be waking up in the New Year. If they’re insistent on seeing the ball drop, let them know that you’ll record it on your DVR to watch tomorrow so you can do a countdown all over again.
I wish you and your family a very happy New Year!
I am a Netflix Stream Team Member and while I am not compensated, my family does enjoy a complimentary Netflix subscription and other items for my involvement.
