How can I make bedtimes gor my nearly four year old less stressful?

[milkyman]

Bedtimes used to take 25mins it is now taking up to 1.5hours as my ds does not like me leaving him. I have a four month old to deal with to on my own. He wants one more story etc . I think it is often when he is tired. I take him up about 6.15, sometimes has a bath then PJ change and stories. I try to remain calm but he seems so hyper and won't listen. He says he doesnt like his room, the dark, the shadows (light left on when i leave). He has a gate on his room otherwise he would be straight downstairs.

Any suggestions????

[Artandco]

Too early? My 5 year old only eats dinner around 6.30-7pm, bedtime is 9pm. Wakes at 8am

In bed at 6.15pm is very early for anyone surely?

4 year olds need 11hrs and 30 mins sleep according to NHS. Dropping to 11hrs at 5.
So maybe try 8pm bedtime, with 7.30am waking?
A 6.15pm bed would mean she has enough sleep by 5.45am!!

[milkyman]

He is usually up at 6.15 but not asleep until 7.15ish. He wakes around 6am. A 7.30/8 wake up would be too late for nursery drop off as much as that sounds lovely. Agree though - maybe take him up at 6.30/6.45? He gets v tired. How about nightlight/music?

[milkyman]

We have tried later bedtime but wakes earlier and is even more difficult. He likes his tea early too!

[Artandco]

Maybe start 7.30pm bedtime so he's super tired if that's when he's not falling asleep until anyway. Then can bring forward 10 mins

If he's 4 he's going to school soon anyway isn't he?

[KatyN]

My 4 year old goes to bed 7 ish and wakes at 6. We let him play in his bedroom with a small light on until he is tired. Sometimes this can be up to an hour, other times just 5 minutes. He has two stories so knows not to ask for more.
It has worked well having a big toy set out in his room like the train track or the marble run. K

[AliceInHinterland]

I like the idea of quiet play until he's tired to take the pressure off going to sleep. What about gentle audiobooks or there was a thread on here yesterday about relaxation tracks. I find if I think about nice things before bed it helps me to sleep, maybe you could come up with ideas for him, like 'lie quietly with your eyes closed and imagine your favourite xyz' (whatever he's interested in). Do you talk to him about his day at bedtime to ensure he hasn't got anything buzzing round his brain?

[avocadosweet]

I also have a 3yo and a 4mo. I bath them together at 6pm then read them both a story in the 3yo's room. She then listens to story cds in bed while I feed the baby. She wants me to stay with her, I say I'll come back when the baby is asleep but she's always already asleep by then. Might a Gro clock help with staying in bed? We also use fairy lights so they are brighter than a night light but dimmer than a main light.

[milkyman]

What cd player do u use?

[milkyman]

Unfortunately my ds never plays alone.

[avocadosweet]

She has this one www.argos.co.uk/res/m/static/Product/partNumber/3499883.htm

And has the set of Julia Donaldson cds, they are a nice mix of songs and stories.