to expect Ds1 not to wake ds2 up?

[cheminotte]

At 5am?

Ds1 (7) has been waking up at about 5am most mornings for weeks now. He doesn't disturb us and stays in his room. But he does manage to wake his brother up (age 4) either by accident (turning bedside light on, opening curtains) or deliberately.(whispering loudly - are you awake yet..).

Have tried a later bedtime, telling him no lights / curtains, gro-clock. And explaining how unfair as ds2 behaves much worse when tired, gets upset more easily etc. But he he does not seem able to comprehend / change his behaviour.

Am I just expecting too much for this age?

I'm sorry but you have your answer right there. It sounds like the entire family would benefit from your children having their own rooms, and hey presto, you have a third bedroom.

This.

Ds2 goes to bed at 6 because he is absolutely exhausted by then, having been awake since 5. He was going to bed at 7 until a week ago, but as we are failing to stop Ds1 waking him up so early we thought at least he could get a headstart on the sleep.

We are using that room, I have suggested putting Ds1's bed in there and it still being study during the day but DP thinks that would be unfair on ds1as it would not properly be his room.

So there is a spare bed in the spare bedroom/office? Chick on a nice fleecy colourful throw and some extra cuss ions. Put in some of DS1s books and or iPad/DVD player. He is instructed to go and play/read/watch QUIETLY in the other bedroomin the morning and if he wakes up DS2 there will be serious concequences. He's 7, he's not a baby.

Thanks whols . It is a futon - folded sofa style when no visitors, out for visitors. I think we will have to try that.