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Original poster

What to do with a child who's too excited to get to sleep...

51 replies

guiltynetter · 24/12/2019 21:29

DD, 5. been in bed 2 hours and has shouted me 3 times saying she can't get to sleep because she's too excited.

I feel for her, I do! I remember being the same as a child. I'm not used to this because she is an amazing sleeper and is usually asleep within 5 minutes every night and very rarely shouts me. she's wide awake. what would you do? keep going back up and tucking her in?

OP posts:

Bubblysqueak · 24/12/2019 22:40

Currently sat stroking Ds 6 back waiting for him to nod off. Haven't had to do this for years. He's finally stopped chuntering to himself as I've been ignoring him hoping he'll go to sleep.

WifOfBif · 24/12/2019 22:48

I remembered being exactly the same when I was little. I still swear blind I heard sleigh bells when I was five years old.

Both of mine have been down for a few hours, DD4 has found it all really overwhelming bless her. I am still wide awake because I’m too exotic sleep...

Bubblysqueak · 24/12/2019 22:50

WifOfBif too exotic ?? What's going on in your house ? actually I don't think I want to know

I have finally won and they're both asleep!

Interested in this thread?

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Waitingforadulthood · 24/12/2019 22:50

I'm unreasonably furious. I'm exhausted and wanted to enjoy tomorrow. I won't. Because I won't get enough sleep. And nor will they. So they'll be terrors and horrible because of the tiredness and I'll be impatient and short because of the tiredness. A vile combination made worse but the sickening smile I'll have to wear through the day

Kanga83 · 24/12/2019 22:54

Yup this is my 6 year old. Three year old out like a light since 6pm as we tracked norad and he was in Azerbaijan, which I told him was near London (we are Kent) so would be here soon. 6 year old slept for an hour and is so wide awake and wired. I need sleep.

Fishlegs · 24/12/2019 23:00

My youngest is also wired, she can’t lie still and can’t stop talking. The older ones are flat out.

I’ve got loads to do and I just want to sleeeeep!

WinkyisbackontheButterBeer · 24/12/2019 23:02

I remember being like this at the age of 6. My mum put my coat and wellies on over my pjs and took me on a brisk walk around the block. She called ‘Santa patrol’ and had me checking that the pavements were clear for landing.

Something about the cold back into the warm made me go out like a light when I got home.
Hope that your lo has finally nodded off.

happycamper11 · 24/12/2019 23:06

Mine are only just asleep- less cute as they are 6 and 10 and argue incessantly at bed time, it's becoming stressful to the point I'm now considering a sofa bed in the living room to separate them. Still have to get presents out the loft but the hatch is right outside their bedroom door and the ladders are noisy so need to wait til they are in a deep sleep 😴

happycamper11 · 24/12/2019 23:09

I'm constantly trying to explain this. I know it's futile to children but I'd be a much better parent and much more fun if only I got a few hours unbroken sleep. Tbf they genuinely don't need a normal amount of sleep like most humans so won't be awful but I certainly will be 😴😭

T0tallyFuckedUpFamily · 24/12/2019 23:10

I was about to suggest you get the child well wrapped up and take her for a walk to look at the decorations and then back into bed before Santa arrives.

BoyfriendCoatBigScarf · 24/12/2019 23:13

he was in Azerbaijan, which I told him was near London

M0reGinPlease · 24/12/2019 23:14

Not to hijack the thread but those of you who do bedroom stockings, how to you manage it in terms of stocking retrieval / delivery when they won't go to sleep? Do you wait up or set an alarm?

Nat6999 · 24/12/2019 23:15

This is the one night of the year it is perfectly ok to dose a symptom free child with any medication that will render them unconscious for at least 8 hours. Medised, Piriton, whatever you have got.

Toddlerteaplease · 24/12/2019 23:19

My parents used to tell my sister, that Santa's elves were at the bottom of the garden waiting for her to go to sleep. Worked every year!

OhDear2200 · 24/12/2019 23:19

In my pyjamas, waiting for oldest to sleep.

I’ve now got a drink and some crisps, bedding in for the night. Father Christmas is going to le late at this rate.

PerfectPretender · 24/12/2019 23:24

My six year old worked everything out a few weeks ago and adamantly does not believe in Santa. So that's that, really! I let her stay up late and she went out like a light after a few stories. Doing Christmas-y things has still been fun and she will enjoy tomorrow, so all's well that ends well.

SproutinducingFarti · 24/12/2019 23:25

You need a granny. Mine used to come and lie in bed with me and tell me no of course it wasn't Santa's sleigh I could hear ( I really wondered how she could be so sure) and generally stop me from chattering until I slept. Then there was another year when we had another family staying and all 5 children were sleeping in one room and my mum drugged us all!

Atalune · 24/12/2019 23:29

My dd has just come down. She exhausted and excited. A terrible combination. She’s also upset because she is worried she won’t sleep!

We have just packed her off again with a little snuggle.

She has to sleep! I’m wrecked!

loutypips · 24/12/2019 23:32

Dd, 9 is still awake (usually soundo by 8!) and I want to take her presents downstairs! Think I'm going to have to set an alarm for her stocking!

TFthatsover · 24/12/2019 23:37

My DD15 is super excited and has shut her eyes while "Santa" filled her stocking. She will be awake long after I go to bed no doubt but she so wants to recapture the magic of being little. Bless her.

giggly · 24/12/2019 23:37

Another one here waiting patiently for them to fall asleep. I’m currently hiding out in the loo next to her room to wait it out to see if she is asleep or just kidding I really want to go to bed

TheCanyon · 25/12/2019 00:02

I had to rope dd10 into helping me down with the presents, she says she's nocturnal. The same dd came down a couple of years ago and asked for one of her sisters travel sickness tablets, they make the other dd sleep

Atalune · 25/12/2019 00:06

Well dd has been down mid present lay out. So that’s that. Christmas magic poof in one little moment.

I am beyond gutted (irrationally) and angry with her! She KNOWS she has to be asleep. Im so cross about it. And she is also a ducking wreck with lack of sleep. So tomorrow will be fun.

JeSuisPrest · 25/12/2019 00:14

My 9yo DD managed to fall asleep for 10 minutes after hours of trying - she's still a believer and then woke up whilst I was wrapping the dogs stuffed toys which wouldn't stop playing Carol of the Bells, the creepiest carol ever!

slipperywhensparticus · 25/12/2019 04:05

My six year old woke at three he is still awake he isnt excited I think he has forgotten for now (sen) he just can never sleep (but according to the doctor it's about "sleep hygiene" these days which is less than helpful when you have got no sleep)

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