My 6 year old’s sleep…

[Eggsandspam]

He’s in bed at 8pm - we have stories. He’s usually asleep by 9pm. But normally he is up by 5:30/6am - this morning it was 5:30 and he was wide awake, wanting to get up and draw/watch tv downstairs.

We get up for work at 6am anyway - but AIBU to think he should be sleeping more at his age?

My 6yr old twins will very occasionally get up at 5:30, they are asleep by 8:30. Their wake ups go in phases, anytime between 5:30-7:30.

Anytime before 6am and they have to go back to bed.

Some kids wake up early. DS wakes at 6 whether he's gone to bed early or late, so we put him to bed at 7. Have you tried earlier nights to get more sleep?

Is he tired, my 6 year old sleeps like a log from 8:00 until 6:30 but I know other parents have it differently. If he isn't really tired by bedtime I imagine it's absolutely fine!

He does have suspected ASD and ADHD, so that might be a factor.
He’s never slept well, even as a baby, he hardly napped.

No, he’s never particularly tired, doesn’t fall asleep in the car or anything (unless he’s ill).
When he was ill with a nasty virus a few weeks ago he was sleeping much more and actually asking to go to bed early, also going to sleep much quicker than usual and getting up later. I imagine that’s what it’s like with most children - I can only dream 😴

@GRex He would never go to sleep at 7 - I can’t imagine it, maybe 8:30 or 8 at a push. But 9 seems to be the time he’s tired. Then up at 5:30/6 , occasionally 6:30- very rarely later.
He also comes in our bed during the night sometimes too.

My DS has never slept well either. I learnt a long time ago that although everything may say they should sleep more, some children are just low sleep needs. If he isn't tired, grumpy or whingy or falling asleep during the day at the weekend, then I would just carry on.

Some things that helps us stretch out the 5am wake ups were -
No downstairs rule before 6am any day of the week.
No TV in the week and not before 7am at the weekend.
It took a good few months but now we can get to 6.30-7am on a good day

At 7 years old, he is now in a regular 8pm sleep to 6.30am wake. Weekends he tends to do 9pm -7am. He also now will stay in his room if he can't hear anyone up.

My ds never slept well either and now at 18 still is an early riser. I think it is just how his body clock works. As long as it is not disruptive and he is happy to draw or watch cartoons I would not worry too much.

If he's not tired and not grumpy it sounds like he's okay with the hours he is getting. At least you're up for work. If you need a bit of time in a morning you can always set a nightlight to go off and until then it's quiet play in his room?