Bedtime nightmare

[EverybodysSnowyEyed]

I am at the end of my tether with DS (almost 5). If anyone could help me fix the bedtime nightmare I would be eternally grateful!!

So our routine, I get home an hour before bedtime. The kids are fed and washed. I need to make up DDs bedtime milk (she's 18m) and DS does his reading (this takes 5 mins and we do more in the morning). We then go upstairs and I have to get them into pyjamas, teeth cleaned, story and sleep! (On my non-working days it is more relaxed as I have more time but the terror still strikes!).

DD is easy - drinks her milk while flicking through a book, then get her ready, clean teeth and into bed. She is no trouble.

DS refuses to get ready. If I ask him to do something he accuses me of ordering him and slams the door. Or it can be something small. But we still have the trigger and then he shouts, cries, laughs in my face, sits on his bed complaining he's cold (when he can be bothered to take his clothes off), taunts his sister (normally minding her own business) etc etc

I am sick of it. I've tried ignoring (door slamming, shouting in my face etc), shouting (screams and cries), confiscating toys (complete meltdown), and tonight I confiscated his teddies (dancing round whilst singing "I don't care").

It eventually ends when I wrestle him into his pyjamas and clean his teeth with much opposition. And no story for DS

What can I do to take control? He is an angel at school but seems to save all the naughtiness for home! I knows he's tired but it can't go on. On my work days I just can't cope with it all.

(sorry for the essay)

How do you react? I just wonder if it is attention seeking/asserting his authority over his sister? My dd has become more cheeky at home (not like the way your ds is yet but.........) and it is very much more noticeable since ds has started moving around and trying to communicate more!

I think I might just say OK get into bed with your clothes on, don't clean your teeth Good Night.

But I am sure someone with other and probably better ideas will be along soon

Tonight DD was unwell so needed cuddles but she generally gets ignored and just toddles about happily enough.

I've tried the leaving him in his room in his clothes but he then follows me round the house. i plonk him back and we get the screaming tantrum.

He sleeps 12 hours a night

anyone else?

Well tonight he was better. DD is very poorly though so I think he realised I needed his help.

We'll see how he goes tomorrow

It does sound like attention seeking my dd is like this. Do you wash them or are they in the bath before you come home? Ive started a new routine (DD 5, DS 3, DS9 months) where they can watch a little tv after the bath (no tv all day till then) if they behave and get pyjamas on and brush teeth WITHOUT A FUSS as DD is very fussy about everything at the moment.

It seems to calm her down before the story. Then I let the oldest 2 chose a story each to read. Also could you try a star chart with a reward after 5 stars for 5 good bedtimes?

sorry your DD not well hope better soon. my Ds also not well been off nursery all week its been tough. good luck tmo

thanks - there must be something going round - DS had similar last week

Maybe I will offer him an episode of his choice once he is dressed and teeth cleaned. Unfortunately he is not easily bribed so star charts don't work. He's always happy to watch TV though so that should work!