Clients often seek personal help when dealing with behaviour problems in their children. A very healthy and simple way of changing a child’s behaviour is to undertake a 5 night “Sleep Talk” process - where you read your child a customised script each night when they have gone to sleep. Your familiar voice, your loving tone, and the personalness of the message “gets in!” and the child is given a message of love, support, and positive outcome which they unconsciously acknowledge and implement.
Often the scripts are for unwanted behaviours: bedwetting, bitting siblings, losing their shoes, jackets, stuff at school, not using the toilet at school, not trying new things, fear around safety, or not being resourceful ie. Throwing tantrums etc. Sleep Talk works with all children from birth to young adults. It is very effective with youngsters and I have heard wonderful results from parents every time it is used. Generally one 5 day process is enough to make changes. How Does It Work? This is the adult equivalent of hypnosis - where the unconscious mind is talked to directly to suggest positive changes, new ways of being, new behaviours, which the child takes on. The languiage is always positive, affirming, supportive and loving, and must be done by a parent or grandparent that the child loves and trusts. Often the words spoken to a child in a script are not the types of words you may use daily when dealing with them. Children haven’t all the resourses that we have as adults. They don’t have much common sense and don’t know how to deal with situations well. They need the input of good alternative behaviours they can choose to do instead of the unwanted behaviours. If someone is bothering them they may hit them. What else do they know what to do? So we add choices, and it helps them to become more resourcesful. What sort of things can be helped by Sleep Talk? Phobias in children, eating issues, bonding issues, fears, taking turns, playing safely, shyness, learning, homework, sitting still, the list goes on. There are some very useful ones for teenagers about tests, nail biting, thumb sucking, tidy rooms, practising sports and music, self confidence, listening, puberty, being on time and so many more! Personalised Scripts I can personalise a script for you to read to your child and send it to you by email. I usually ask for a small fee to cover my time. Success Stories Boy of 9 who wants to go to a sleepover, but is a wedwetter. His mum ran his sleep talk script for 5 days and he became dry after the first few days…. Young girl who wouldn’t use the toilets at school, but would soil and wet her pants.. took one night before she was sorted. (I still recommend you continue for the 5 nights). This reinforces the positive messages. Young 18 month old biting his mates at kindy. Stopped this behaviour much to the delight of everyone at the creche and Mum!

About the author

Zoe Wilkinson is a Life Coach, NLP Trainer, and NLP Master Practitioner based in Tauranga. Her passion is helping people live more fulfilled, happier, graceful lives. She teaches parenting skills, life skills and persona excellence at night classes, and is the recent recipient of An Exceptional Adult Educator Commendation in 2010. Email : zoew@xtra.co.nz or phone 07-576-0941.