3 YO Battling Sleep--Should I try Reward System or Should I Try Confining her in Room? PLEASE HELP.

[Lentils]

My just turned 3 yo battles sleep every single night, and it sometimes takes up to 2 hours to get her to go to sleep. I try to get her down by 7pm because she does not nap, and it's pretty obvious from the yawns that she is knackered. Yet we battle every nightfrom wanting more books to be read, to crying, to screaming, to me getting frustrated and telling her off. I am at my wits end. I am now thinking I should either try the reward systemie. telling her if she stays in bed she can get a star and once 7 stars add up she can get something. OR, I am thinking of just confining her in her room (we have a pretty good childgate that she cannot open) and just walking away. I know she will get up and play etc, but supposedly, she will eventually tire out and go to sleep. Which do you think is better???

[Lentils]

no one???

[neolara]

We have the same problem! No idea what to do either and looking for any tips.

[FlamingTomatoes]

rewards worked wel;l for ds1, mnd yous so did threats of toy removal

[Lentils]

anyone else? we're desperate!

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

Hi Lentils - if you decide to go on the rewards system I'd choose a shorter time span, eg 3 stars only before she gets a reward. She's too young to have a proper concept of numbers at this age, I think. I'd also choose a non-material reward, perhaps getting two extra stories the following evening or something similar.

Have you tried putting her to bed 15-20 minutes earlier? Eg if it's finally 10 pm one night, 9.40 next night, 9.20 next etc etc. We did something like this with DS but he was older at the time.

[pinkteddy]

I wouldn't go for the child gate option as I just think you are re-inforcing that its OK not to go to bed. Think star chart is a good one, definitely worked for my dd - we did two lots - 1) I will stay in bed 2) I will sleep tight till the morning light!! It did seem to work. I agree with Cristina, on going to bed a bit earlier - maybe she is overtired if she has recently dropped the nap?

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

I meant working out the time when she finally does fall asleep after all the battles and then working backwards from that with 15-20 minutes at a time for a few days, then another 15-20 minutes earlier etc. So that she'd naturally become exhausted but just a bit earlier until you reach the bed-time you want.

[moondog]

I just close the door and leave 'em.
Think rewards can be overdone tbh (in this context)
The fuss and attention they entail often makes the problem worse.