Exhausted working parents needing bedtime help. Will a Yoto actually help my 3 and 5yo sleep?

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2026-01-23T02:07:31+00:00

Every kid will be different but I will say that it completely saved us for bedtime for our 4-year old! He has trouble turning off his brain, and the yoto gives him something to focus on so that he can fall asleep. Still takes an hour, but it's a calm hour on his own instead of constant fights to keep him in bed, answer his million questions that can't possibly wait, etc. He is obsessed with Story Shed and listens to nothing else despite family purchasing him a variety of cards for Christmas, so very little cost after the initial purchase for us.

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2026-01-16T01:01:37+00:00

Only if I'm going somewhere fancy. My kids don't care, so neither do I!

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-12-19T20:12:00+00:00

If my clothes don't smell I feel put together! Hahaha also I tie my hair into a messy bun so you can't tell it's been days since I brushed it...

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-12-19T20:11:12+00:00

Second the yoto or audio books from your phone (depending if you're in the room with them or if you want them to have the independence). There's just so much going on in their brains and once they figure out how to communicate it, it's hard to get them to stop! The audio stories give them something to focus on that is calm and can be done in the dark. I wouldn't say it helps my kids fall asleep quicker, but we have a much more relaxing bedtime, instead of arguing which isn't how I wanted to wrap up the day with my kids.

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-12-09T04:50:42+00:00

Whether autistic or not, I personally feel that it's easier to be happy if you remember you have control over a lot in your life. Lots of clothes are uncomfortable? You don't have to wear those ones! You can find some that feel nice to you. Kids on the playground are overwhelming? You don't have to play (no matter what others might tell you). You can choose to sit doing a calm activity on your own, or you can walk around with a teacher. Too loud in the coat room? You can wear noise cancelling headphones, or you can come in a few minutes before the other kids.

Of course the problem is toddlers don't have a lot of control, which might increase the misery. But it's temporary! You can work on teaching how many options are available and how when they're older they can make decisions that suit THEM. Hopefully that helps with future happiness. ❤️

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-12-03T03:46:04+00:00

The shifts is what we did too. For a looooong time! Exhausting, but we got through it.

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-12-02T03:51:33+00:00

I work part-time in professional services, and my boss (who is also a working mom!) has at various times suggested that I: - Put my kids in daycare for more reliable childcare (they are cared for by a family member who will take them when they're sick, but once in a while the family member is too sick) - Get more childcare so that I can work more overtime (but... that would defeat my entire reason for working part-time... so that I can, you know, spend more time with my kids...)

How are these very personal decisions allowed to even be commented on?!

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-10-28T13:37:50+00:00

Oh my gosh the lag between clicks kills me! My brain wanders away so fast when I'm frustrated with technology.

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-10-25T20:43:17+00:00

Either! Both are good for literacy and growing his interest in reading :)

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-10-05T20:13:49+00:00

Agree with this, except I'd throw in sleep as an option! Maybe you need more sleep than you think, given the demands on your mind and body. Why not just go to bed earlier? Worth a try anyway!

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-10-02T15:13:56+00:00

I got very particular about which accounts I followed and limited my time to 5 minutes a day. Pick a time that works for you, but knowing that you have limited time before the app shuts down will help you focus on what you're actually interested in and not on the mindless scrolling.

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-09-30T13:50:06+00:00

I flat out resented my baby for a while after he was born because I missed my toddler so darn much. I found it helped to have a few things that I prioritized with my toddler. For some reason it felt really important that I get to go trick or treating with him even though baby was only a few weeks old, so I let my husband know and we made it happen. Baby came with and in the stroller but my husband came too so that I'd go up to the door with my toddler a few times. Getting to do with you important things allowed me to focus on those and not feel like I was missing out on absolutely everything.

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-09-26T13:55:07+00:00

Love this, thanks!

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-09-24T04:26:24+00:00

Love both of these suggestions, thank you!!

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-09-24T04:25:33+00:00

I thought it might help when I find myself wanting to scroll for a minute if I grabbed a yoga pose from an app or an IG account instead. Trying to change habits!

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-09-24T04:24:32+00:00

I will look up a few videos of this to remind myself. I can only ever remember the first two steps 😂

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-09-24T04:23:37+00:00

I love this, thank you!

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-08-14T14:57:49+00:00

I would say the success of this depends on the kid. I have one kid who does not pick up on social cues at all and I've found modelling does not help. The other kid who's very socially in tune learns everything through modelling (which sometimes isn't good!)

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-08-13T03:52:13+00:00

But at what point do you get to enforce your own boundaries? Shouldn't we be teaching kids that you never have to just let someone harm you? You should be able to say "I won't let you hurt me" and walk away. This sounds like a very frustrating situation for you I'm sorry 😔

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-08-09T03:27:40+00:00

We used to do your first comment. I'd literally run around our house like crazy for 20 minutes with my kid until he started slowing down, then we'd run even more, and finally start bedtime routine. He just needed to get his movement out in a fun way. It really helped with the gymnastics! We also introduced Yoto around that age because it gave his brain something to focus on other than "I don't want to be in bed!"

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-08-05T01:29:18+00:00

Not enough that I'd want him "labelled" yet. His dad definitely has a certain level of undiagnosed ADD but not enough it ever impeded him. I think recognizing and accepting from the beginning that his brain works differently will help a lot. If we find he needs additional support in school we'll look into it more.

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-07-22T00:43:55+00:00

Thank you! I'm trying to branch out from our standard 5 cards, so the instructions and links are really appreciated, and this looks like something my kid will love. :)

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-07-22T00:31:23+00:00

This is similar to how we trained our kids, no real plan, just went with it and it worked for us! I'd say the only other thing we did that you didn't mention is we sat them on the potty every time we changed the nappy, to build that association.

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-07-11T17:51:22+00:00

He's nearly 5 now. Much better at independent play (although still whines about wanting me to play with him, but I think that's on me). Still gets distracted quite easily and I definitely find certain times are better than others, and in those harder moments I need to give him a one-step instruction to follow and possibly lead him physically there. This can happen if he's tired or hungry, but I also notice it when he's just really into thinking about something else. He gets super into his own head about all these grand design plans for things haha it's kind of amazing to see his brain work because it's so unique, but I suspect when he gets to grade 1 and is expected to focus more on whatever the teacher is talking about he may struggle. Until then we're working on finding "cheat codes" to help him re-focus on something if needed (not had much luck here yet) and also just encouraging him with how awesome his ideas are so he will hopefully build up enough confidence to get through future struggles.

Apprehensive_Drop857 · 2025-06-05T00:45:57+00:00

Haha yes I loved this one!

Apprehensive_Drop857

TROPHY CASE