3.5 year old (not) going to bed - any tips?

[maximillion]

My 3.5 year old dd has just started playing up at bedtime, saying that she 'can't sleep' - before she's even tried. She wants us to read book after book, make up stories, sing songs etc. and when we finally get downstairs, only lasts a minute or two in bed before shouting for one of us to go up again. I have been up and down for an hour and a quarter tonight (to 9pm)before she finally settled down. I have tried been stern, threatening, cajoling, giving in, ignoring etc. Could she just not be tired?

She is better on nursery days when she is there between 8am and 5pm, basically because she is tired out, but on my days off or weekends, it is sometimes past 10pm when we finally get some peace. She always used to go at 8pm with very little fuss and sleep through until morning.

I have let her come downstairs sometimes for ten minutes on the settee, which I know I shouldn't have started, but now if I don't go up she comes out of her bedroom and shouts on the stairs or even has come down once or twice.

Any tips that have worked for anyone would be gratefully received...

Hello!, I have a four year old girl and her daddy puts her to bed most nights. Make sure you have a bedtime routine dinner, bath, milk and story with a big cuddle from mum. Keep noise and lights down when you go back downstairs. Tell her that you need to get ready for bed too, for example having a bath. Tell her it is very late and that the monsters will come if she doesn't go to sleep now. It always works with my little girl. She must love you very much and miss being with you. Try to take her out for the day on the weekends to get some fresh air and exercise. Leave a night light on for her to give her reassurance and keep her door open. Sometimes it helps when you say that we won't be able to go to the park or something else in the morning if you don't go to sleep now. Last resort, put up a stair gate or by her bedroom door. Do controlled crying, let her cry for a bit and then check on her every 5 minutes and firmly tell her no, it's time to sleep. Give her a kiss and say I love you also helps. I hope this will help you.