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Children's sleep during lockdown

37 replies

fearfulexchange · 02/02/2021 22:37

Is anyone else noticing issues regarding their children's sleep patterns during this lockdown?
Both of my children are struggling to sleep and stay asleep. They are 11 and 9, never had sleep issues before. They're constantly waking me in the night complaining of nightmares and not wanting to be alone, wanting a drink, needing the toilet. I've got one permanently in my bed.
I don't know if it's lack of routine, boredom, lack of physical/ mental stimulation but I'm knackered! But I'm also starting to get a bit concerned about their mental health.
Anyone else?

OP posts:
TitsOot4Xmas · 02/02/2021 22:39

Yep. Experiencing with DD and hearing about this amongst DD’s friends.

Geppili · 02/02/2021 22:42

Yes. Mine can't get to sleep til very late. They are bored and restless.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 02/02/2021 22:44

DD(12) has always been a bit of a night owl, but is really struggling to fall asleep at night. She's not getting enough exercise during the week which doesn't help.

Scbchl · 02/02/2021 22:45

Yeah my 11 year old is up sooo late and cant sleep.

elliejjtiny · 02/02/2021 22:45

Yes. Feel like I never get time alone with dh because the dc are not only not at school but they don't sleep until it's past our bedtime too.

Whitecup4 · 02/02/2021 22:46

Yes! The have a 5 year old....5! Who doesn’t go to sleep until after midnight! She wakes at 9am. Without the school routine, no work routine, it just goes to pot. What’s the point of trying to change it....we have months yet of them not being at school

bridgertonian · 02/02/2021 22:46

Yes! Mine are awake until gone 11pm most nights and both keep ending up in my bed at different times. Personally think it’s not enough exercise and fresh air but can’t do much about it whilst working ft and home schooling.

fearfulexchange · 02/02/2021 22:47

What a relief, I was worried it was just mine and we were going a bit mad!!

OP posts:
idontlikealdi · 02/02/2021 22:48

Yep they are going to bed later and later as are we. Just not tired enough with little activity / fresh air.

DisneyMillie · 02/02/2021 22:50

My dd4 is waking up in the night EVERY night and pre lockdown was a great sleeper. I think it’s lack of physical play compared to school and hating home school!

brunoc12 · 02/02/2021 22:51

My 5 year old is the same, the other night she didn't fall asleep till after 1am. Tonight she finally fell asleep about 10. The only up side is she doesnt wake up till between 9 and 10am.

Chronicallymothering · 02/02/2021 22:51

We're thinking about buying a trampoline for this reason. At school they would be swimming 2x a week, sport most days and 3-4 clubs (karate etc) a week. They're just not tired by being in the same house 24/7.

Ledkr · 02/02/2021 22:51

Yep. Im trying to get her up early and to wear her out but its not working. Shes currently on a bed on my bedroom floor trying to sleep.

NoseinBook3 · 02/02/2021 22:52

Not just yours! My 5 year old goes to sleep anywhere between 8pm and 9pm but wakes every two hours unless I let him sleep in our bed. My six year old goes to sleep anywhere between half ten to half eleven. She just won’t go to sleep!

StandWithYou · 02/02/2021 22:52

One of three is having trouble sleeping- she is currently downstairs with us at the moment. The other two are sleeping ok. She explains it as not being able to stop thinking about things. It settled down once she was back in school so fingers crossed.

OcelotPanda · 02/02/2021 22:52

Yep. I fell asleep before my two last night. Been trying to establish a better routine to try and tire them out. But even a walk/scoot in the park every day isn't enough. They don't have as much mental or physical stimulation.

Mapletreelane · 02/02/2021 22:55

Same here. School usually tires them out, so no school/activities/less physical exercise than normal = kids not tired out enough. Ironically working and homeschooling = DH and I shattered more so than usual. It's all so joyous. I can hear DD 11 now yawning and tossing and turning.

Mumtoone39 · 02/02/2021 22:56

Same, our 5 year old won't go to bed alone at the moment and a nightmare to get to sleep.

Treaclepie19 · 02/02/2021 22:58

Yep! 5yo is really fussy at bedtimes now.

Haveyoubrushedyourteeth · 02/02/2021 22:58

Same here OP, no solutions, but huge sympathy. I know mine is shattered because she's far more weepy than usual during the day, but no matter what I do she can't switch off at night - sometimes it's gone 2am. We're cuddling, talking, using worry monsters, tiring her out, doing mindfulness exercises, audio books lavender baths ....but nothing is working. I've just picked up my phone to see if I can find her a weighed blanket, its all I can think of now.

Chiccie · 02/02/2021 22:58

Yep! It’s so exhausting

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 02/02/2021 22:59

Yeah, same. Struggling to get to sleep and stay asleep. Waking up with nightmares.

YesIDoLoveCrisps · 02/02/2021 23:01

Mine are awake so late that I have to stay up even later to have some time alone. I looked at my skin in the mirror today and I think I look a hundred years old so I can’t keep it up. Sad

Alwaysready · 02/02/2021 23:01

We have to seriously wear them out each day - a walk 🙄 again but lots of trampoline time and lots of Andy's workouts/kids zumba/ntv etc. We have kept the sane routine bedtimes and get ups (we're both working so have to be up early) also it distinguishes the weekend from the rest of the week! It's hard work I wont lie but lots of exercise is the key.

minipie · 02/02/2021 23:08

Yes. Nightmares in DC1 (age 8). Despite lots of long walks and bike rides etc. She’s a very tense overthinking kind of child and it’s getting to her.

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