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AIBU?

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DS taking ages to fall asleep

40 replies

Wagamamaislife · 24/07/2024 22:27

AIBU for getting annoyed that DS 6 can take ages to fall asleep? He is generally tired after a busy day, but can often take up to an hour (sometimes more) to sleep. He doesn’t get out of bed which I know is good but instead he tosses and turns for ages, kicking covers off and generally just seems to struggle to switch off. He’s always been a good sleeper so not sure why this change has happened. My husband thinks IABVU because he’s not being particularly naughty and getting out of bed etc and that it’s not his fault (I agree to some extent) but I know he’ll be an arse tomorrow when he hasn’t had enough sleep. I can almost guarentee I’ll need to wake him in the morning. Usually once he’s asleep he’s asleep, occasionally getting up for a wee but not usually. Do I just need to accept this is how he is? I would say he still gets at least 10
hours a night, usually around 11. Feel free to tell me to give my head a wobble

OP posts:
RunningThroughMyHead · 24/07/2024 22:41

My 6 year old goes to sleep anytime between 7.30-8.30 and wakes at 7 each day. He's fine and gets enough sleep.

I wouldn't worry, everythings a phase with children, if he needs more sleep, he'll fall asleep faster.

bergamotorange · 24/07/2024 22:41

Wagamamaislife · 24/07/2024 22:40

Why unkind? I don’t give him a hard time about it, it just stresses me out

You go in and sit with him, he will feel your impatience.

bergamotorange · 24/07/2024 22:41

Wagamamaislife · 24/07/2024 22:39

I would say 1/3 of the week he’ll take anything up an hour (probably on average 30 mins) other nights it’ll be more like an hour or even up to an hour and a half on a really bad night

This is completely normal. You're going to give him sleep problems. He can probably feel your stress.

Wagamamaislife · 24/07/2024 22:40

Why unkind? I don’t give him a hard time about it, it just stresses me out

OP posts:
bergamotorange · 24/07/2024 22:39

Wagamamaislife · 24/07/2024 22:38

I am impatient I admit. I want him to go to sleep because I know he doesn’t cope well with late nights and it will be a struggle to wake him in the morning. He’s a great kid but he is high energy so I do think this contributes to him struggling to wind down, particularly if he’s had a stimulating day. I’m fairly sure I am being unreasonable too

Yep, unreasonable and unkind.

Tell him he can read til he's ready to sleep and then leave the poor kid alone.

Wagamamaislife · 24/07/2024 22:39

I would say 1/3 of the week he’ll take anything up an hour (probably on average 30 mins) other nights it’ll be more like an hour or even up to an hour and a half on a really bad night

OP posts:
Wagamamaislife · 24/07/2024 22:38

I am impatient I admit. I want him to go to sleep because I know he doesn’t cope well with late nights and it will be a struggle to wake him in the morning. He’s a great kid but he is high energy so I do think this contributes to him struggling to wind down, particularly if he’s had a stimulating day. I’m fairly sure I am being unreasonable too

OP posts:
zzar45 · 24/07/2024 22:36

Wagamamaislife · 24/07/2024 22:33

Is 7.30/8 too early for a child his age? Only just turned 6

So half the week he does to sleep almost as soon as he’s in bed and the other half he lies there for a whole? Do you fall asleep immediately every single night? Or do you wind down a bit in bed like most people?

QuiltedHippo · 24/07/2024 22:35

My 3 year old gets 10-11 hours a night, sounds like he's going to bed too early, can't he read for a while in his room?

otravezempezamos · 24/07/2024 22:35

If he isn’t bothering you a d keeping the whole household awake, what business is it of anyone else? If he can’t sleep surely at 6 he can read or play quietly.

bergamotorange · 24/07/2024 22:35

YAB completely U.

He's a human child, not a robot. Give the poor kid a break, he's doing nothing wrong.

Were your parents impatient people perhaps?

Let him read until he's ready to go to sleep.

Wagamamaislife · 24/07/2024 22:33

Is 7.30/8 too early for a child his age? Only just turned 6

OP posts:
zzar45 · 24/07/2024 22:32

At 6y if he’s awake for ages without going to sleep, then still getting 11 hours usually then you’re obviously sending him to bed way too early.

whyamilikethis234 · 24/07/2024 22:31

Sleep is hard if your not one of those people in life whose head just hits the pillow and are asleep

Natural patch sleep stickers

Tony box

White noise/pink noise etc

Lavender in his room

Change his room around for a fresh start

Night light if he hasn't got one

Weighted blanket

Warm drink in the evening

Talk with him about any worries

Fresh pjs and bedding again for a fresh start

Star chart (although this could bring pressure)

Blackout curtains

Glow stars in the ceiling

Ask him what he wants to dream about tonight and encourage him to think about that before sleeping

Record yourself speaking/reading stories to him

Wagamamaislife · 24/07/2024 22:29

he doesn’t come in to us usually and he is able to fall asleep independently although I have taken to lying with him some nights now as I find it does help him fall asleep more quickly. I’d say 3/4 nights out of 7 he isn’t asleep until 9ish. Otherwise it’s probably closer to 8. No ND as far as we know

OP posts:
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