My husband and I have recently separated which has left me doing bedtime for both DDs and DD1 (3yo) is now going to bed later and later and she's exhausted because she's still waking up at the same time in the morning. She still has a daytime nap because she clearly still needs it, even when she goes to bed at a reasonable time (she has breathing problems so she gets more tired more easily). She's been playing up because of the separation, which is understandable but I don't think tiredness is helping the situation. She's also very particular about her bedtime routine and doesn't cope well if I try to drop something or change the order - I will work on her being more accepting of change but now isn't the time.
Below is my current evening:
18.00 - Dinner
18.20 - DD2 pyjamas, medication, teeth
18.30 - DD2 upstairs, breastfeed
19.00/19.15 - DD2 asleep
19.15 - DD1 pyjamas, medication, teeth
19.30 - DD1 upstairs, story, milk, toilet
20.00 - DD1 in bed, usually asleep within 10 minutes
That would be an ideal night but if DD2 takes longer to go to sleep then that has a knock on effect and DD1 often goes through all number of delaying tactics before she'll finally get in to bed/go to sleep. So it can be getting on for 9pm by the time DD1 goes to sleep. She typically wakes up around 6am so some nights she's only getting 9 hours sleep. Even with the nap it clearly isn't enough for her - you can see how tired she is and her behaviour is affected.
Do any single parents have any suggestions of how I can get DD1 to sleep earlier? I tried getting DD2 down earlier but any earlier and she wakes up after 1 sleep cycle as she seems to think it's a nap.
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler.
Sleep
Can you help me with a single parent bedtime routine?
21 replies
iwasagirlinavillage · 29/03/2017 07:45
OP posts:
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.