The Grandparent Magic

The Grandparent Magic: Why Do Kids Behave (and Sleep!) Better for Them?

It’s one of the great mysteries of parenting: your child can be grumpy, picky, and up 15 times a night at home — but as soon as they’re at the Grandparent’s house, they transform into the world’s easiest child.

✨ They eat their dinner without a fuss.

✨ They go to bed without a fight.

✨ They sleep through the night like they’ve been doing it for years.

And you’re left wondering… why can’t they do that for me?!

Why It Happens

Part of it is the novelty — grandparents often bring a fresh energy (and maybe a little extra indulgence 😉). Kids also sense that grandparents have their own rhythm, and they respond differently to it. Sometimes the expectations are just simpler, and there’s less tension in the room.

But here’s the reassuring part: it’s not that you’re doing anything wrong. Home is where children feel safest, which means it’s also where they test boundaries the most. It’s their place to let it all out. That’s a sign of security, even if it doesn’t feel very reassuring at 2am.

The Good News

The “grandparent magic” doesn’t have to stay exclusive to the Grandparent’s house. With the right routines, gentle strategies, and a little consistency, your child can learn to settle and sleep well at home too.

How I Can Help

As an infant sleep consultant (and a mum who’s been on the receiving end of the “they slept 12 hours straight for us!” conversation, I know how frustrating this feels. The good news is that better sleep at home is possible — and it doesn’t require a whole new house or a new set of grandparents.

I help families find calm, practical ways to make bedtime smoother and nights more restful, so you can enjoy those peaceful evenings too — not just hear about them second-hand.

If you would like to find out how I can help you achieve these goals please get in touch!