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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Help!!

14 replies

Sexonlegs · 17/01/2006 21:51

Oh my God. It is 9.45 and I have been trying to put my dd (2.5) to bed since 7.30. She is just going off one one every time I leave the room. I have tried the controlled crying, but she keeps coming out of her room. We have had some problems with her talking about scary monsters, and I have done everything I can - leaving the light on, telling her there are no monsters, etc etc etc. Any advice? I am a shaking wreck as have had no dinner, and feel like I am about to go mad.

OP posts:

busybusybee · 17/01/2006 21:55

When my ds gets like this the only thing that works is too sing to him - restful lullabys - sometimes they get so worked up about going to sleep they cannt calm themselves down even when they try

singing really helps for us!

HTH

homemama · 17/01/2006 21:56

No real advice but didn't want to leave you unanswered.
Have you tried staying in the room with the lights out and telling her your there but it's sleepy time. This takes ages but works eventually and may help you calm.

busybusybee · 17/01/2006 21:57

It should calm you down too - Its fairly impossible to feel angry and sing restful lullabies - Just before you sing the last one say "this is the last one" in a restful voice
"Mummys going to rest now too - I love you - good night"

Aloha · 17/01/2006 21:58

keep putting her back in her room, no talking, no interaction, just back in bed. is your dh/dp there? Make him take his turn while you eat something.

WigWamBam · 17/01/2006 21:58

When my dd was about the same age and frightened of scary monsters, we told her that she had the bravest Cattie (stuffed cat) in the world who looked after her and made sure that everything was OK, and at one point we put a very brave teddybear on guard outside her door. She also had a dreamcatcher which we told her catches all the bad dreams and nasty thoughts and only lets the nice ones through, and that did the trick for her.

WideWebWitch · 17/01/2006 21:58

Poor you. Agree, stay and gradually withdraw if you can. Have you got Toddler Taming? There are lots of suggestions in it about sleep. Have you got a partner who can help?

Aloha · 17/01/2006 21:58

I use storytapes for my ds to help him manage by himself.

Original poster

Sexonlegs · 17/01/2006 22:04

Thank you all. My dh is away on business! Lucky him!! I am afraid to say I let her cry it out in the end. I tried so many things - "all your toys are here to look after you", sang songs, tried counting sheep with her, lights on, doors open.
My God!! Time to have some toast before I pass out. I think it will be a rocky night ahead...

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blueshoes · 17/01/2006 22:22

about the monsters, rather than dismissing dd's fears, you could ceremoniously produce a "wand" the next day, and make a point of "exorcising" every corner of her room with her. It might work.

Frizbetheexpansionset · 17/01/2006 22:26

Hmmmm dd was doing this a month or two ago, she even tried to tell me we had monsters in our garden (which has no hiding places whatsoever being fairly new) We just repeatedly went with the the 'monsters don't exist line' and we got her a nightlight for her room, we also leave the door open until she drops to sleep......re the keep getting out of bed thing, we explained that we'd only come back upstairs if she got back into bed, again along same lines, we also went up every 10 mins to check on her, until she dropped to sleep, praising her for not getting out of bed each time. She's 2.2 BTW.

Shimmers · 17/01/2006 22:36

Was wondering if you know at all what has brought on these anxieties? Do you think it could be something to do with your dh being away?....
After she eventually gets to sleep and then wakes again, I'd say something like, "See, there are no monsters. Everything is just like it was before you went to sleep".

Good luck.

Original poster

Sexonlegs · 18/01/2006 10:11

I have no idea what has brought this anxiousness on. DH is usually away at least one night a week, so I cannot think that this is the issue. Everything is as it always in terms of routine.

I am hoping it is just a phase, but I will keep trying all your suggestions.
I did try the "if there are any monsters in the room, please leave now" bit, abd I said to dd, listen no doors are opening so there are no monsters.

Hey ho. I am now dreading tonight already.

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tracyk · 18/01/2006 10:14

Take her for a nice long walk this afternoon and knacker her!

Original poster

Sexonlegs · 18/01/2006 20:51

Well, a repeat performance of last night, although it seems to have gone quiet now. I am so keeping my fingers crossed - please keep yours crossed too!!
DH back tomorrow, so some moral support.
Thanks all.
xxx

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