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How can I make bedtime easier with my nearly three year old?

2 replies

WH40smama · 24/04/2026 22:13

My nearly three year old is very tricky at bedtime. My husband usually does bedtime with her and stays in her room until she’s asleep. She can faff around a bit with him but will eventually go to sleep. When I do bedtime she drags it out for much longer - today she was in and out of bed, in and out of her bedroom when I sat outside and crying on the landing when I sat on the stairs. I just want to be able to read her some books, have a cuddle, tuck her into bed and know that she’ll stay put and go to sleep, leaving me with some time to myself in the evening. Tonight I am still feeling really wound up after a bedtime that took 2 hours and ended with me having to sit with my hand on her tummy while she went to sleep. I also have an 8 year old who is much easier at bedtime, but if it’s me with the both of them on my own, the 8 year old misses out on time and attention. Please share your successes with improving bedtimes! I am thinking of a reward chart for going to bed on her own and alternating with my partner so she gets more used to both of us at bedtime. Bedtime with her is also always difficult if we are anywhere that is not home. She often still naps during the day, but even on the days she doesn’t nap, she can still be a nightmare at bedtime for me.

OP posts:
sausagerollsarecool · 25/04/2026 00:21

My middle child was exactly the same at that age. Getting him a Yoto for his third birthday changed things massively. I was able to start leaving him for 5/10/15 minutes to be with his older brother or get some housework done or take a shower while he listened, then I'd come back and cuddle up with him to help him get to sleep. Then we swapped over and I'd do cuddles and chatting first and then he started falling asleep listening to the yoto. Now he's 4 we turn the yoto off after 30 minutes and he just falls asleep with no drama. This was unthinkable 18 months ago.

WH40smama · 25/04/2026 20:46

Thanks for the suggestion - maybe we should get a Yoto for their 3rd birthday. I’m pleased to report that bedtime was much better tonight - I talked about it during the day and bigged up a sticker reward chart and toy. I managed to get her to sleep much earlier and was sitting in the doorway. Tomorrow the landing outside her room. We also skipped her nap today so maybe that is the way to go now.

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