Think back to all of the bedtime books that you either read to your children, or had read to you as a child. Each of those books paint bedtime as a special time for parent and child. And in the mists of today's busy and exhausted days, some of our bedtime rituals are now given way to quick kisses while they tuck themselves in.

To get kids to willingly go to bed on time, you need to do two things: make it fun and turn it into a predictable routine. Kids thrive on routines, especially those that are enjoyable. So by making bedtime a family affair, where they are the center of attention, your child will delight in the bedtime rituals and will feel like nighttime is a treat.

Here's what you do:

1. Develop a routine - Starting a half and hour prior to bed - start the schedule. Announce to the kids "Thirty minutes till bed" and get them in their pj's and, perhaps, give them a special treat. Hot chocolate or a few cookies and milk would be nice. It needs to be something they can finish in 10 minutes.
2. Next - have them pick out a favorite book and lay it next to the next. Then, lay out the next day's school clothes and pack up the bookbag. While you do this together, talk about the day's events and all of the good things that happened to both of you. 
3. Then, it's time to brush their teeth. After everyone is all brushed call out "story time". Now it's time for them to jump into bed so mom or dad can read the story that's already been picked out. Take your time and read the story - allow them to look at the pictures carefully and do some role-playing with the characters. Get them involved in the book!
4. Lastly, after the story has been read, tell them that you will always love them as you tuck them into bed. Kisses come last, prior to you turning out the light.

By making the routine fun, predictable, family-oriented and full of hugs and kisses - your child will start to look forward to their own special bedtime - a time that's only for them.