I have just had another draining couple of hours trying to get my DS (3) to stay in bed, while trying to soothe a crying, teething DD (almost 5 months). I find bedtimes especially hard as my DH works nights and is out of the house from mid afternoon until after midnight. DS is used to the fact that DH is not around 5 nights out of 7, so I don't think that is the problem.Things start off pretty smoothly. I bath DS around 6.30 and let him play/watch TV until 8 or so, then we go upstairs for 'storytime' (if I say 'bedtime' he has a major tantrum). I have tried putting DD in her cot while I read DS stories but recently she's been v.unsettled and cries so I have to bring her in and cuddle/feed her while we read stories. I often spend up to an hour reading and making up stories, and even after that, DS will get out of bed several times, say he's hungry, wants the toilet, is scared etc. Eventually he will settle down and I usually leave his room to go and (finally) have some quiet time to feed DD in our room. But he then gets out of bed to come in and messes about, jump on the bed etc and says he's not tired. This has been driving me mad the last few nights, and I am often lose my temper and shout at him. Even though I feel awful when I am being an angry shouty mum, it has no effect on him and he just keeps saying 'But I'm not tired."
Since DD was born he almost always ends up in our bed (he never did this before). He wakes up around 7.30am and does not nap during the day.
I would love if he would go to sleep or at least stay in bed at a normal time so I could get DD settled and finally have at least an hour to myself! I have even considered painting his room or changing the light fittings to something more sleep-inducing. I also try and keep him really busy during the day to tire him out, but it's not working. I know a lot of his behaviour stems from the fact that his little sister sleeps in a cot in our room and he is probably feeling a bit left out.
Any advice welcome, am at the end of my tether really.
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Parenting
Bedtime craziness with 3 yr old and 5 mnth old
14 replies
FluffyMitchell · 19/11/2012 22:45
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