19 parents share their go-to bedtime hacks (for when they were ready to give up).

Thanks to our brand partner, VICKS

Ask any parent and they'll tell you: bedtime is equal parts routine, performance and tactical negotiation.

Some nights it flows. Other nights, someone's crying (and it's not always the child).

And let's be honest — no matter how many tricks, routines or deep breaths you throw at it, bedtime can feel like the longest part of the day.

Between one more drink of water, another round of hide-and-seek and a suddenly urgent question about how electricity works, the hours between dinner and sleep can stretch on like a never-ending saga.

And when your little one is under the weather? Forget it.

A blocked nose, a tickly cough or just feeling off can throw even the best-laid bedtime plans into chaos.

That's why many parents choose to keep Vicks VapoRub as part of their nighttime toolkit. Formulated with active ingredients like eucalyptus oil and menthol, when rubbed onto the chest, throat or back, it releases soothing medicinal vapours for up to eight hours that may help provide temporary relief from the symptoms of colds including nasal congestion and cough — supporting a more peaceful night's sleep for everyone.

Suitable for children aged two and up, Vicks VapoRub is now available in a gentle lavender scent, and its non-greasy formula makes it easy to apply, so slipping into pyjamas and winding down for the night feels that little bit easier.

To get you through tough nights, Mamamia asked 19 parents to share their practical hacks — tried and tested when they were this close to waving the white flag.

Give them the illusion of control.

"If I tell them to brush their teeth, they dig in. But if I ask if they want to gallop or tiptoe to the bathroom, they're up in a flash. All smoke and mirrors." – Beth

"We do a 'choose your own pyjamas' game every night. They get two options, and somehow that makes everything feel like their idea. It's small but it works." – Melissa

Bonus hack? A toy bedtime buddy can make everything go down easier.

"We have a plush owl that 'reminds' them when it's time for each step — bath, pyjamas, brush teeth and book. If Owl says it, they listen. I don't ask questions anymore." – Monique

Structure now, sanity later.

"At dinner, I start laying the groundwork: what book we'll read, who gets to turn on the night light. It helps lower the resistance before it even starts." – Karen

"My daughter has a bedtime chart. It's just pictures of each step — bath, pyjamas, book, sleep — with velcro squares she moves herself. It's like a game and it keeps us both on track." – Yasmin

"Book, bath, bed. That's the routine, without fail. If I mess with the order, the whole system collapses like a house of cards." – Hannah

"We read affirmations every night to calm my daughter's mind. We never skip them." – Amy

Incorporate scent and comfort cues.

"Our whole routine has scent built in — bath oils, sleepy sprays, lavender plushies. It's part of the sensory wind-down. Even I start yawning halfway through." – Naomi

"My son has a favourite pillow spray he calls his 'sleepy mist'. It's become a cue for his body to settle — once he smells it, he knows it's time to rest. It's either that or he starts negotiating for a snack and we know how that ends." – Talia

Let the music do the parenting.

"We play the same lullaby playlist every night. Even if we're running late or everyone's cranky, that music flips a switch." – Claire

"We use our speaker to do the bedtime stories for my eldest when I'm juggling the feed and bedtime for my youngest." – Annabelle

And the best part? You can take it on tour.

"Our white noise machine is like our third child. I love that we can take it anywhere — holidays, friends' houses, car rides, day trips — and the kids know exactly what it means." – Kate

Rethink screen time.

"10 minutes of 'slow TV' — like fish swimming or rain sounds — does wonders for calming their brains." – Mareesa

"We do no screens for at least an hour before bed. I used to think it would be a battle, but now it's just part of our routine. We dim the lights, play soft music and read — it sets a calmer tone for everyone." – Priya

Make rewards fun (and a little silly).

"We do sticker charts, but the stickers are ridiculous. One says 'sleep wizard'. One's a dinosaur holding a teddy. They love it — and take it very seriously." – Alex

"I let my daughter 'earn' her bedtime token by doing something silly, like brushing her teeth with her eyes closed. It turns the whole routine into a game." – Samira

Sometimes, surrender is the solution.

"If they're overtired or sick, we skip the second book, do extra cuddles and call it. I've stopped trying to 'win' bedtime — now I try to survive it." – Jack

"Sometimes I just get into bed with them. No lectures, no negotiations. Just closeness until they drift off. It's not every night, but on the hard ones, it works." – Eliza

"We have a calm-down basket in the bedroom — just simple stuff like a fidget spinner, a soft toy and a breathing card. If they're too hyped, we do five minutes with the basket, then try again. It works way better than yelling." – Nicole

And on the nights it all goes pear-shaped? Well, there's always tomorrow.

Find Vicks VapoRub at your local Woolies.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Vicks is trusted by Australians, providing generations of care. VapoRub, with its unique combination of eucalyptus oil and menthol, relieves 4 cough and cold symptoms, so you and your family can sleep peacefully. Now available in a new Lavender scent, Vicks VapoRub releases medicinal vapours for up to 8 hours, relieving blocked nose and easing congestion for a peaceful sleep through the night. The new Vicks Lavender Inhaler provides soothing blocked nose relief, anytime, anywhere. If you're looking for an ultimate shower experience, try Vicks VapoShower Max and breathe freely with soothing Vicks vapours.