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Original poster

Hate the hour before bedtime

23 replies

Dinosaurgalore · 18/08/2017 17:53

My d's 3 becomes a total nightmare, hyper and manic, throwing things jumping on the sofa, hitting. Not sure what to do he is tired but not enough for bed. Screens are banned to try and calm him.

Any tips on how to manage nightmare hour

OP posts:
GhostCurry · 18/08/2017 17:56

Oh lord, I hear you.
Can your keep him in his room for that hour, with some calming music and reading books?
There are some guided meditations for kids, I've not used them but could be worth a look?

Sittinginthesun · 18/08/2017 17:57

I remember that well. Early long bath works well. Mine used to think supper in pyjamas was a treat.

Or quick walk after tea?

Ginfernal · 18/08/2017 17:58

Mine is 5. We try and have bath time, family game of something that needs concentration then up to bed for a story then a guided meditation on YouTube. Oh and tidy up time before bath

Happydoingitjusttheonce · 18/08/2017 17:59

Was too long ago for me to remember and offer practical advice however the thing to remember and cling to is that the daily nightmare hour doesn't last for long. Routine will change all the time and get easier in some ways, trickier in others. My lad is 14 and I wished I'd remembered that when he was little and I was stressed. Remember also there is post bed time wine Smile

Original poster
Dinosaurgalore · 18/08/2017 18:00

Have tried the long bath and he will happily play in the bath but as soon as out goes manic again, only time he's like it. Once he's upstairs for bed he's fine will listen to story nicely and then settle to sleep no problem it's the time before that that's the problem

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early30smum · 18/08/2017 18:03

Have you tried later bath and not allowed downstairs after bath? I.e. Straight from bath into bedroom for quiet stories etc? My nearly 5 year old gets a proper second wind and ends up going hyper and overtired if we let him downstairs after bath.

NicolasFlamel · 18/08/2017 18:05

I really hate bedtime and the lead up to it. Whatever time we start the process they just go absolutely feral in the hour before. No advice, just solidarity! It's like wrestling a drunk into bed. They think they're completely hilarious but it's just annoying.

Grooves · 18/08/2017 18:08

Bath and then chill. You have to impliment it and stick to it.

I kept a solid routine with my daughter from being a little baby, it was dinner, bath and then bed.

We add a book to the routine and she knows after the book, it's bedtime.

Rinkydinkypink · 18/08/2017 18:09

Yes yes. It's the time after tea and before bath in my house that's the manic hour.

I generally allow it, kick them outside, go for a walk, do a mass tidy up. On those really uncontrollable days it's early long bath. Stories but only if they sit and listen then bed.

It's not always successful but letting them downstairs after their bath always results in major meltdown. It's just not done!

Hmmalittlefishy · 18/08/2017 18:11

I hate it. All this 'calm bedtime moments' I'd love bollocks in our house. Ds2 is especially wild running around, not doing as he's told, shouting , getting out of bed and general completely silly. It's just me on my own which doesn't help and I hate being shouty mum at bedtime Sad

Hmmalittlefishy · 18/08/2017 18:12

Oops 'is bollocks' not I'd love bollocks.
Unfortunate autocorrect Blush

AnneGrommit · 18/08/2017 18:12

Can't you just put him to bed earlier?

BlackberryLassi · 18/08/2017 18:14

Ahh sympathies! It's shit. No screens, a long bath (although dd went crazy because her hands got white and wrinkled and set bedtime back another 30mins) and some books. Nothing like a bedtime tantrum!!

letmepeeinpeace · 18/08/2017 18:24

Hmmalittlefishy that made me cry!!! Grin

Original poster
Dinosaurgalore · 18/08/2017 18:27

He goes to bed at 6.15 any earlier isn't practical and he wouldn't sleep.

Will try long bath before bed and then up to room.

Drives you to the brink then all snuggley for bedtime stories and cute again

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Violetcharlotte · 18/08/2017 18:28

The witching hour!! I remember this well. I think I got though it by thinking of the large glass of wine I was going to pour myself as soon as they were in bed!

Letting them wind down and watch TV is probably the best option.

Original poster
Dinosaurgalore · 18/08/2017 18:30

The tv seems to make him worse so we stopped that although to be honest no difference really except I don't suffer topsy and frigging tim

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Original poster
Dinosaurgalore · 18/08/2017 18:31

That should say we thought the tv made him worse

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Violetcharlotte · 18/08/2017 18:36

Oh I see ConfusedIt's been a long time since mine were that age so I don't really know what kids programmes are on now. Isn't CBeebies bedtime hour meant to be calming?

mctat · 18/08/2017 18:47

Can you go straight from dinner to long bath to bed & books? Esp if he's going at 6.15?

Original poster
Dinosaurgalore · 18/08/2017 18:49

The night time hour starts around 6 I think but he goes to bed at 6.15 so topsy and Tim on at 5.20 which ds loves Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
Dinosaurgalore · 18/08/2017 18:50

He's fast asleep now for the night Smile just that hour before he goes up

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user1473602935 · 18/08/2017 19:35

Definitely don't bring down between bath and bed (we used to make the same mistake)

Ideally some quiet activities like jigsaw puzzles although appreciate he might not be interested!

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