Please just sleep!!!!

[smileymylie25]

Anyone else up? My 17 month old went to bed at half 7 decided randomly to wake up at half 10 and we are now downstairs watching monsters inc because I tried absolutely every thing to get him to sleep and wasn’t having any of it. Woke the 5 month old so I gave up and we are all downstairs. He has never been a good sleeper but tonight has been ridiculous. I just want to sit and cry 😢

Your mistake is taking them all downstairs. You have to keep the rooms dark and not really speak to resettle them.

Taking them downstairs was a big mistake. We always just stayed in their room in the dark and waited for them to fall back asleep. 😴

I have just woken up for a wee and going on my phone is a big mistake so it’s easily done!

Do you have a partner in all this? Are they sleeping soundly?

I am going off now and willing myself back to sleep before the milkman comes down my street because if I hear him that’s it I’m up for the day.

Go back to bed and try and get a couple of hours in x

Yea I know I really shouldn’t have gone downstairs but I was starting to get anxious. I definitely won’t be giving in and going down again! They are finally both asleep and back in beds.

yup partner was sound asleep in bed the whole time.

Yes, if your 17mo is a neurotypical kid then you really have to hold the line and not let them get up. It's harder when you've done it once because then they expect it. Do you have one of those clocks that changes colour for sleep/wake time? Your child may be a bit young to properly understand it but it would be something for you to focus on when getting them back to sleep "zeepy is yellow and sleeping, that means we need to be sleeping" repeated ad nauseum

For us, DH deals with the older kids at night time and I have the baby. Unless your partner has a reason why he needs an undisturbed night's sleep every night (and I don't think "he goes to work" is a good enough reason) then he needs to be stepping up and helping you. Our kids room has a double bed and also a single bed so if they wake in the night then DH will go and sleep in their room. It helps them get back to sleep but also if they don't sleep then at least DH can doze while they roll around or whatever. It doesn't happen very often now but it used to be they'd wake every night.

It must be very hard for you with such a small age gap. It will get easier eventually.

Monsters was a reward for effort. Next time, put on YouTube of the sky at night or something totally boring. But preferably don’t bring them out of there room.

It's so easy to talk in hindsight I've done so many things in my three year olds life that I've thought wtf did I do that for I've got into mind set don't do something once that I won't do again because she learns so quickly! (Thinks back to the ' birthday sprinkles ' on her porrisge saga because I forgot strawberries)
Solidarity though this toddler life isn't easy.

Teething? Try some calpol maybe. Hang in there, that age gap is exhausting. If it makes you feel any better I have a similar one and my two are best friends at 4 and 5 now and they both sleep all night x

Op I think it’s fine you went downstairs
I don’t think it’s all a power struggle with kids and not all about giving in or not giving in or whatever. Sometimes they’re just having a difficult time for whatever reason. If I couldn’t sleep and was getting wound up I’d go on my phone, I’d go get some water, I’d read a book or put the tv on for a bit rather than getting wound up and stressing about not sleeping. Babies can’t do that really so you’re just helping them. You changed the situation that wasn’t working, And they both fell asleep so it worked, don’t be hard on yourself for doing it.

Thank you, it’s so hard to know if doing the right thing. Last night it felt right as it calmed him down straight away x