Wanting kids to go to bloody bed/sleep!

[DavetheCat2001]

I can't be the only grumpy mother narkily trying to get her kids to go to bed, can I?

Both mine string it out every night, try the same tricks to prolong getting into bed.. drives me round the bend.

DD (5) will nit go to sleep unless I sit in her room with her ( where I am currently typing this), and its the same palava every night.. 'i'm too hot/cold, need another wee/poo, don't want my pillow etc.. she struggles to stay awake evennwhen clearly knackered.. I can see her fighting it, then the blissful moment when she's gone and I can get off the floor and leave the room.

DS (8) will then begin his procrastination routine , so by the time they are both finally in bed it's gone 9 and I'm starving (and grumpy).

It's bloody Groundhog Day.

Just a general whinge.. thanks for reading.

How long are you sat with your 5 year old for?

Normally 10-15 mins.

If I dont she'll just keep getting up and gets teary.

A bad habit I am well aware needs breaking.

Can you 8yr old get themselves ready for bed and start reading a book while they wait for you? With consequences if not ready in time?

I'm currently in a dark room with my 3 and 4 year old neither of whom is asleep. A sticker chat had really improved the getting into bed bit, but how do you teach them to actually fall asleep quicker??

Currently sat on the floor of 4 year olds bedroom thinking the same thing. I tend to sit 5 mins and then leave, but it's drawn out with extra everything - especially hugs and kisses cos she knows I'm a sucker.

I'm 38 weeks pregnant so I may just stay here all night unless my husband rescues me from the floor.

This is the first night of 4 year old ds going to sleep without someone sitting on or beside his bed. So I'm sitting at the top of the stairs, where he can see me, just waiting and occasionally telling him to stop talking. You are not alone!!

Okay 5 year old and a 2 year old who thinks sleep is the devils work. The other night it took her 2.5 hours to go to sleep. Hell.

Currently typing this in my 3yo bed. I haven't even progressed to sitting in the chair!

He falls asleep pretty quickly thankfully, but if I'm (or DH) aren't in the room it takes hours, literally. We've tried to break it but it was just weeks of upset, he clearly isn't ready to go to sleep alone.

Can you 8yr old get themselves ready for bed and start reading a book while they wait for you? With consequences if not ready in time?

To be fair he was in his PJ's already, the problem I've been having with him is since November he has gone from being a great sleeper, to having nightmares/being afraid of the fox noises outside (we've got bloody loads round here), and also required someone to sit with him until he fell asleep for a good 2 months.

We've got him a new nightlight that he can control the brightness of, and (fingers crossed) the fox noise seems to have lessened in the last week or so, but he still gets up and comes looking for us from time to time.

I'm just tired, feeling rundown and grouchy.

Snap. Currently being talked to by my 2 1/2 year old. I'm sitting on the floor in his room. He'll start with his list of demands soon too which will include needing a wee/ drink/ calpol. Apparently the pussy cats been naughty (we haven't got one) and he needs to sing too me!

Laid on the floor in the dark next to 3yr olds bed rocking 6mo in bouncer with my foot.
I miss evenings.

Not just me then!

Hope everyone is sleeping soundly soon.

And he's out! Not too bad for a first try - I shall refrain from getting too cocky though, it could be a fluke!

I can relate to the fox noise thing, our youngest use to be a great sleeper and then he got scared by a noise- for him it was owls hooting, we didn't realise quite how scared he was until we took him to visit Father Christmas and the only thing he asked for was a metal grill to go on his window so the owl couldn't get in and peck him! That was a few years back and he has only really got over it this year and only because he has developed a love of Harry Potter so owls are okay now.

For your 8 yr old- try an audio book or some
Classical music on quietly. I had awful night terrors as a child and it really helped me to have something to focus on to stop the fear taking hold.

For your 5 yr old you have my sympathy as my son is very similar. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to take time to fall asleep-I do as well. But I cannot stand the buggering about. I decided I’m willing to sit with him if he settles immediately. If he doesn’t I leave. It only took a few nights of leaving the room for a few mins at a time before he realised I meant it and now we get no messing (mostly!)

I've not had this problem with any of my 4 past about 18 months (don't worry I'm not smug they all woke up frequently after midnight) but all mine have enjoyed listening to CD's, Disney Bedtime is a current favourite. I've always let them read,play, chat etc as long as they stayed in their rooms.

Thanks for the advice above..DS does have a radio in his room so will try putting on Classic FM quietly if the fox noise starts troubling him again..they have been quiet the last week or so.