My 4 year old sleeps 7.30-5am and getting shorter

How the hell do people manage that. Pick kid up from nursery at 5 . Home and 5.30. get dinner bath etc and asleep by 7?

I am finding some of the replies quite surprising! I have a nearly 5 year old and 7.30 seems a normal bedtime for that age to me. Mine is usually up between 6 and 6.30 although the clocks going back did mess him up for ages. I'm pretty sure when I was a kid we were expected to be in bed for about 7.30 through much of primary school, and I certainly wasn't getting up at 5 am!

She's probably just on the lower end of sleep needs. DD1 is like this, she goes to bed about 8:30 and is up somewhere between 6 and 7. Usually nearer 7 but just depends.

Some kids need less sleep. And I’m sure other parents lie about their kids sleep too!

Mine has always been an extremely early riser. No matter how much later I moved bedtime he'd wake at 5am.

You and partner need to do alternative mornings and be damn sure you're on the same page for this. My DH would wake but lie there listening to the crying until I went to get up and then make his move, by which point I was well awake. I left it far too long before losing my shit with him after which he got his act together.

My ds continued to wake at 5am until he was 14! But we did teach him to get up quietly and play and left a snack breakfast in his bedroom once at an appropriate age.

As the owner of a 4 year old I think the advice above is a little mad! Every nursery in the land recommends kids sleep at 7pm. Later fine for holidays obviously but around 7pm is right where she should be. 5am is an early start - hope you get some good advice!

It's really tough when friends and family have children who sleep 12 hours straight through, no drama. Unfortunately some children need more support. Would she go back off if in with you?

My DS (5yrs old) has never slept more than 10 hours, to compensate he goes up at 8pm aiming to be asleep by 9pm, he then wakes just before 7am which is what suits us. I prefer to see him and cope in the evenings than 5am starts, which would not be tolerable. It's about finding what suits you and your child. Hope you find a balance soon.

They need between 10 to 14 hours.

Given most parents spend their days dedicated to their kids, it’s normal to want the evening to themselves

It sounds like your daughter is at the lower end of sleep needs OP. 7.30 is fine as a bedtime if you don’t want her up later, just be clear if she wakes at 5.30 she needs to read or play with her toys till 7.

Did she start school yet? If not she’ll be more tired then.

If she goes to sleep 7.30pm I am not surprised she is up 5am. You need to push her bedtime later so she sleeps later.

Put her to bed around 9pm rather than 7.30 which is early for 4 years old. She'll soon start sleeping in longer. Get her a gro clock and explain it to her. Get her stuff to wear herself out before bed - pickler triangle, indoor trampoline etc etc. We have a big 'chase mummy round the house' session before bed with our kids which seems to expel some energy.

My 4 year old sleeps 6 until 5 or 6. Suits me that he goes to bed early and rises early. He certainly isn't a sleepy child so I don't think you are unreasonable for wanting your child to sleep a bit longer!

I really think this is a pretty normal amount of sleep? DS(5) sleeps 8-6 and has done for a few years now - and that's more than a lot of his friends.

Put her to bed a bit later? She's getting over 10 hours, that should be enough for her age.

She's in bed from 7.30 until 5, how much "rest" do you think the poor wee thing needs! That's a crazy length of time at 4 years old, she's telling you loud, clear and correctly that she doesn't need that much sleep. Mine didn't Why have children if you want them to sleep all the time. Jeesh! 😤