Ainu....to deny my three year old this?.

[coco35]

My 3 year old d's is a nightmare at night. Firstly putting him to bed and getting him to sleep is a problem...then he wakes several times during the night....I am exhausted and this is really getting to me..

His sis who is 5 is an angel.

So they are both at school/crèche until 2pm...I have just had a delivery of their two new tablets which they will b very excited about

So I am thinking of telling ds he can hve his when he starts staying in bed.

He is absolutely adorable but a total monkey and at this stage he knows full well what he is doing. I honestly feel like it's All a game to him. I guess what I am trying to say is the baby is well gone out of him and that's why I need to change tactics with him

What do ye think?.. A stressed out mam in need of sleep!

[coco35]

Betty...omg hats off to you for still being sane with your d's!

That's all food for thought...I'm not convinced that anything will actually work in getting him to sleep but will try anything..

Funny thing is he is not the least bit tired during the day so mayb he is one of those children that doesn't need that much. His dad is like that but I am the opposite...

[Nanny0gg]

I wouldn't. Too much time in between cause and effect.

Sticker chart building up to a reward (new free game for the tablet?)

Small steps.

[JupiterGentlefly]

Its definitely worth a try!

tries to get head round 3 year olds having tablets

[coco35]

Is it not very common for children to hve children's tablets like leap pads. I'm not buying them iPads!

[OhBuggerandArse]

It's not good for their brains though. Fries them, even 'educational' stuff.

But so does telly, and the number of apologists for that never seems to decrease.

[TeacupDrama]

tablets just before bed bad idea tablet for 30 minutes at 4.30pm as reward while you prepare tea why not, there is lots of educational stuff for children , my DD is 4 and is allowed about 30 minutes per day provided good behaviour, she may get more at weekends or if we are are long car journey

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

Coco - not sure about the being sane bit to be honest, lol. Some nights I am really calm and some nights I get really cross and spend half an hour ranting at him (which obviously does not help him get to sleep but he does have the sense to be quiet and not say a word).

So frustrating though!

[PicaK]

IIT must be hard having had a good sleeper to cope with a bad sleeper. Worried about your angel comment.

Kids develop at different rates - is he really playing you up? Is he that advanced socially and emotionally that he's genuinely doing this. If you are sure then what is it he is after? And how can you give him that?

I know my child couldn't have handled his behaviour for the reward - and i'd worry about the damage to his self esteem if he was constantly failing. So much in the papers these days about praising effort not results.

If it's any help my ds's sleep improved dramatically when he started school. Have you tried ensuring he's physically exhausted? Boys need more exercising than girls. (Sweeping statement I know but in my experience true.)

[Nanny0gg]

It's not good for their brains though. Fries them, even 'educational' stuff. But so does telly, and the number of apologists for that never seems to decrease.

Really?

[FrenchJunebug]

seriously, buying tablets for a 3 and 5 year old?!

[ParenthoodJourney]

What is your issue with her buying tablets for a 3 and 5 year old!?

It's her children, her decision.

Tablets are fantastic for learning my son had an innotab from 3 which was all educational and he learnt a lot through educational character games so keeps them interested whilst learning.

He also uses my iPad for reading eggs where he learnt how to confidently read 20 words in a week.

[LimitedEditionLady]

I really appreciate my sons tablet for the educational apps,he is recognising letters now and other methods have really not captured his attention but those cleverly made apps are fantastic.People like to pass criticism for children having access to a tablet well ill criticise back that you cant appreciate them even slightly.Times have moved on.

[dashoflime]

I also don't get the problem with tablets for kids.
DS (18mths) loves playing with his Dad's Iphone and can (sort of) operate Youtube and take selfies.
He started the selfies at just a few months old when DH would show him the camera function- as you would show a baby their reflection in a mirror. He is fascinated by it.
I think a touch screen is likely to be easier to operate for kids and I hope tablets come down in price so he can have one when he's older.