When parents discuss sleep training, they are usually talking about their approach to getting the little ones to go the f*ck asleep. But why all the focus on the kids? Tired parents aren’t just tired because the kids are crying at all hours. We’re also tired because we’re stressed, because we have so many responsibilities, because the second we turn out the light to finally get some shuteye the thoughts all come flooding in — worries about work, kids behavior, the fact that we forgot to book that one week in summer for camp and we know it’s way too late.

Yeah, parents could use help with their sleep routine too. And when we get that help, well, let’s just say the whole family benefits when mom and dad are well rested. So, how? First things first, let’s focus on getting to sleep and getting past the racing thoughts that face us when we do so. For this, we were told to look to the “Military Method” of falling asleep. It’s fairly simple, a bit weird, and, we were told, works like a dream for those in service. When we tried it out, well, let’s just say it got interesting — and we learned some things about good sleep habits along the way.