​​“Can I have a glass of water?”
“I have to go to the bathroom.”
“Can I sleep with you?”

Sound familiar? If you have young children who have trouble ​​sleeping through the night, these phrases probably do. It’s understandable, though, when you think about it. From a young child’s perspective, bedtime means saying goodbye to the world around you — especially your parents.

To help address this issue, the parenting experts at Boys Town recommend trying the Bedtime Pass for children between the ages of 3 and 10. This personalized permission slip grants your child a single short trip out of their bedroom for a specific purpose, such as a bathroom visit or drink of water. Researchers have found that using the pass can reduce instances of crying and coming out of the bedroom. Download and print your own Bedtime Pass below.