3.5 year old ds has been an early riser for a long time, usually up between 530 and 6. We've kind of accepted that this is his natural waking time but recently he's been waking 430-5! He's wide awake and can't/won't go back to sleep. I'm NOT a morning person and am finding this really hard, plus am 8 weeks pregnant so even more tired than usual. We dont take him downstairs until at least 530 even if he wakes earlier but we're all awake as he's in bed with us, in and out of our room, talking non stop etc. I'm desperare for more sleep!! I'm grumpy, snappy and irritable with him because I'm so tired, and I hate feeling like this. Dh does his share of early starts but I would just like ds to sleep until a sensible time so we all feel better! On days he wakes early he's shattered and irritable by mid afternoon. Sometimes he'll end up napping. But even on days when we manage to keep him awake all day so he's exhausted by bedtime he doesnt sleep in! A later bedtime doesn't help either - he just wakes at the same time but is tired. His room is dark so its not a light issue.
We've tried a gro clock. He gets the idea but is just in and out every couple of minutes telling us if the sun is up yet. He's also realised that turning it off and back on again resets it to the sun face!!
I'm probably less tolerant at the moment due to pregnancy tiredness and hormones, but if anyone has any words if wisdom I'd be very grateful!
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Any tips on getting ds to sleep longer?
onceipopicantstop · 28/07/2013 07:18
Hi both thanks for replying. We did know about locking the screen - unfortunately doesnt help when he turns it off at the wall or pulls the lead out at the back!! 
Perhaps need to look if there is some sort of cover available to stop him pulling the plug out - it worries me that he does this anyway regardless of the clock issue. Then could put it somewhere out of his reach to prevent him removing the lead.
Altering his bedtime doesnt seem to have any effect but I guess a much more gradual change might help.
In fairness he is sleeping for 9.5 -10 hours, but when I hear about other children sleeping for 12 I feel a bit jealous!!
I could have written this post! Seriously, we have the same issues I almost all aspects....I was just about to ask my husband if he had been on MN and written this post....but he isn't pregnant, so it can't be him 
Unfortunately, I don't have any solutions myself other than to say you are not alone.... If we lived next door to each other we could take it in turns getting up with them!!
I have a 3 month old so on some ways it's even harder, but when your baby comes you will be up early anyway I guess.
Sorry no real help, but Congrats on your pregnancy though!
Well we have been thinking about moving....
Have reinstated the groclock tonight with strict instructions he is not to touch it and we don't need to see him until the sun face appears!!! Has been promised a reward if he does this. I've set it for 530....I'm not very optimistic but we'll see!
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