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Behaviour/development

DD (3.2) has started disliking nighttime.

5 replies

glassslipper · 08/05/2007 21:32

She wants to get into bed with us, wants to prolong her bath, says she doesnt want to go to bed etc.

She is very tired during the day lately but has been waking at 6 every morning so she can come and see us.

I cant think of much that has changed althoug a few weeks ago she had a bug and was sick in the night all over herself and the bed. She hasnt mentioned this though.

I keep trying to reassure her we love her and she shouldnt worry about anything. She has a cuddly monkey who she sleeps with and he is always there. She desnt seem able to say anything specifically is bothering her.

what can i do?

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WideWebWitch · 08/05/2007 21:34

It's normal, keep being as calm as possible and just putting her back until she gets it.

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twoisplenty · 08/05/2007 21:43

My 3yo dd did this a couple of weeks ago, but it was screaming tantrums in order to not stay in bed, at the end of the bedtime routine.

Persistence paid off, and 3 nights later she was back to going to bed with no problems. It was persistence, and minimum talking ie. I didn't get into conversation about it, I just acted bored and uninterested, until she got the message that I wasn't listening to her wanting her own way.

The next morning I always praised her for going to bed and didn't make an issue of it at any time.

Hope it all gets sorted soon, I'm sure its just a phase of trying to test you.

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glassslipper · 08/05/2007 21:44

Thanks, we're pretty good and getting her to bed and she only calls once or twice. It just seems like a kind of fear she's developing and I dont want it to become an issue iykwim

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twoisplenty · 08/05/2007 21:50

Sorry glasssliipper, I may have interpreted your post a bit wrong...thought she was fighting the going to bed routine.

Even now, my dd who is now good at going to bed, tries to keep my attention by wanting water, another cuddle etc etc, but if I tell her I have some jobs to do downstairs, then she seems ok.

I think 3 is a difficult time for the youngster, very busy in the day, lots to learn, learning to become a little more independent, so needing lots of reassurance. Hope all is well tomorrow night!

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glassslipper · 08/05/2007 21:56

Thanks twoisplenty. Do they start getting lots more fears now? She's asking questions about everything so I guess it makes sense...