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4.5 yr old not sleeping well and misbehaving

2 replies

dannid · 07/04/2012 08:13

DS1 has always slept well from an early age...normally a minimum of 12 hrs!! In recent weeks though he has suddenly started not falling asleep till around 10pm and waking around 6.30am. :(

He is still 'going to bed' at 7pm/7.30pm but stays awake chatting/singing to himself and calling down to us for various reasons....everything from I need a wee, I need a poo, even wanting to talk about Christmas (we haven't even had Easter yet fgs ;))!! The one saving grace is he doesn't actually leave his bed...he is quite happy to sit in bed and chat/sing/read a book.

I am now noticing though that it is having a knock-on effect on his behavior during the day. He has constant tantrums and cries at the smallest thing. He isnt deliberately naughty but if he doesnt get his own way about every single thing then he breaks down...with it normally resulting in me/DH loosing our temper and him being put on the naughty step/put in his room for time out. We have also tried confiscating his toys for a day but although he doesn't like us doing this, it doesn't seem to deter the bad behavior.

In attempt to control the behavior I have just introduced a reward chart and told him that when it is full of stickers we will get him a new scooter. I have yet to see if this is going to work.

I am still convinced though that the main problem is that he is overtired...but am at a loss to how I can get him to sleep any earlier (we have a black-out blind in his room, bedtime routine etc.) Any suggestions/recommendations?

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daytoday · 07/04/2012 09:14

I'm sure it will pass - but have you thought about putting him to be a bit later. Maybe 8pm. Just as a temporary measure. Also, what are you doing with him the hour or so before bed. Cut down TV, none for the hour before bed - read, bath. I'm sure you've thought of these things.

It is hard but they all go through these phases -

dannid · 07/04/2012 16:46

I hadn't thought about putting to bed later actually. Maybe worth a try?!

We have quite a strict bedtime routine in place as DS2 is 5 months and anything but routine means that it all goes haywire and DH and I are running round like loons Grin so he already has bath, story with milk and then bed!

Today DH and I took him out alone without DS2 and he has been a lot better...which makes me wonder if it is partially to do with the arrival of DS2 and vying for attention?!

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