33m old suddenly sleeping badly

[PeppaIsMyHero]

Our healthy, energetic and generally normal 33 month old has started waking up in the early hours and refusing to go back to sleep. There doesn't seem to be a consistent pattern and there is nothing specific wrong. He just wants to get up. He swears it's "morning time" and screams continuously if forced to go back to bed.

This can go on for hours. We've tried repeatedly putting him back without saying anything, but he is up again each time before we get to the door of his room, which seems to defeat the point.

We've tried reasoning with him, but he just wants to get up. When we offer rewards he stubbornly swears he doesn't want the things he normally loves!

Is this a standard thing for this age group? We both work full time and it's killing us... Any ideas very gratefully received.

sounds like a phase. my youngest did this on and off from about 2-4 years old for a few months at a time but more about actually going to bed. i did a personalised reward chart for staying in bed then after so many successful nights a prize was given. also now has and has had for a while one of these clocks with a star and sunshine on. u set sunshine time which means he can get up then but not before. but she is an early riser still up at 6 most days. good luck.