My 3yr old will not go to sleep...

[Lumpity]

...despite everything we try. He has a bedtime routine (bath, book etc) and we put him to bed at 7pm but he will not sleep. He leaves his room a lot but mostly the problem is that he just gets out of bed to play in his room, or sing, or look out the window etc etc

We have tried the returning him to bed without a word technique but then he just plays in his room. often we think he is asleep and go up to find him wide awake but playing silently. We have removed the toys at bedtime but he plays at making dens in the wardrobe/under the bed. We have also tried sitting with him but he refuses to even close his eyes!

The prob we have is that he is exhausted. He wakes up at 6am regardless of the fact he doesn't sleep until gone 10pm and then he is grouchy and horrible in the mornings and yawning lots.

I am sure it is just a bad habit he has got into-but how can we stop it?

Any ideas??

Hello

Both my children at this age didn't want to go to sleep and would get out of bed and play, it did last for a short period I didn't make an big issue of it when they were ready they would tidy their toys away and climb into bed. Yes they were tired the next day I kept them going all day no sleep early tea bedtime routine and an early night, they would sleep straight away the next night they would be up playing again so we went like that for a while. Although all children are different.

Does he still have a daytime nap he could cut out?
Is there a blackout blind/curtains in his room?
What about soothing music, both mine have story cd or music to go to sleep to.

Our bedtime routine has never been a certain time on the clock it has always just been a sequence of events, so they aren't put to bed when they are not tired. Although DD who is 8 is in bed asleep by 8 and DS is in bed asleep by 7.30 some days this time could be as early as 6.30.

It has also been very hot so even though mine have no sleeping issues now it has taken them longer to drop off.

I am sorry if I have been of little help, there is nothing worse than tired grumpy children. I hope you can sort it. xx

Oh I will say they were expected to stay in there bedroom quietly.

The CD is a good idea and I will try it tonight. Also think black out blinds might be needed. He doesn't nap anymore but lately he has been literally falling asleep whilst playing in the day!

The prob is no matter how much we keep him busy and awake during the day he still doesn't sleep-he just gets even more tired!