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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

fed up of early starts in the morning - need ideas

24 replies

superbagpuss · 12/03/2014 07:46

My dt boys (4) share a room, when one wakes up he wakes up his brother and they go to the loo together - not sure why - we leave lights on etc.

Then they play, fight, run about very loudly

They wake at 5:30

No amount of talking to them, shouting at them, taking things away from them, promising good things to them or time outs are working.

Everyone in the family is tired and grumpy and we all need more sleep! We can't push back bed time any later as they are so grumpy during the day they are falling asleep and asking to go to bed by 6, half 6 in the evening.

We have a gro clock so they know not to disturb me and dh before the sun is up, but they don't seem to understand that means stay in bed and be quite, not run around like loons.

We have neighbours and I am now worried we are waking up everyone

Please help.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BumpyGrindy · 12/03/2014 08:00

I honestly think you need to ride out the grumpiness and make them go to bed later....its either have them grumpy or You grumpy.

Only1scoop · 12/03/2014 08:08

Seems quite an early bedtime....maybe put up with a bit more grumpiness and wind down with bath/bed etc slightly later.

Original poster

superbagpuss · 12/03/2014 08:14

we physically cannot keep them up any later - some days we make it to 7 but even pushing things back they are crying and asking to go to sleep and it doesn't affect the time they wake up, they just get less sleep.

OP posts:

outtheothersidefinally · 12/03/2014 08:14

The clocks go forward soon - can you hold on til then? It will be 6.30 wake up then which seems more bearable!

Original poster

superbagpuss · 12/03/2014 08:17

outoftheotherside - I had forgotton about that completely, that is the best news I've had in a while

I get up for work at 6:30 so thats not a problem at all, don't mind them awake and playing quietly at that time.

OP posts:

ZuleikaD · 12/03/2014 14:26

Children mostly get up early and unfortunately that's all there is to it. Don't pin your hopes on the clocks changing - the kids will adjust in under a week...

TheresLotsOfFarmyardAnimals · 12/03/2014 14:29

You need to make a rule that no bedtime before 7.30-8pm and stick to it. Two weeks and I'd expect you'd see an improvement.

Go out after dinner to the park or for a walk etc to break the early/early routine.

5.30 is no fun!

rubyflipper · 12/03/2014 14:35

Ouch! 6/6.30 bedtime is early!

Mine (3&6) go to bed at 7/7.30 and wake up around 6.30. Any earlier than that and they are firmly told to go back to bed or watch cbeebies until we wake up.

dancemom · 12/03/2014 14:46

When clocks change their times will automatically change to 7pm till 6.30am

However if this doesn't last I'd play one off against each other. Tell them whoever is in bed when you come I to their room will get a sticker right then and a treat that day. If they wake up at 5.30 set your alarm for 5.40 an make a lot of noise (that's me up, I'm going to see who is in their bed talk) and if either of them are still in bed or jump back into bed they get a sticker and treat. See your alarm for 5 minutes later each day and hopefully they will soon realise that staying in bed will get a sticker and treat? Or if you are particularly desperate, set your alarm for 5.20 the first day so you can get in and reward them before they even get out of bed so they understand? Hopefully within 2 weeks you can push alarm time back to your acceptable 6.30am?

Original poster

superbagpuss · 12/03/2014 17:55

thank you for the suggestions

I know the bed time seems early but there are particular reasons and we ate slowly working on it to bring it back

I have promised to leave out a pompom if I don't have to go in to them in the morning

20 pompoms will be a small gift

OP posts:

ZuleikaD · 12/03/2014 18:45

They're only 4. A bedtime of 6/6.30 is perfectly reasonable if they're shattered by then. You might just have to tolerate the early mornings and go to bed earlier yourself for a while longer. I have three larks and I have tried everything in terms of later bedtimes, cutting naps etc and regardless of bedtime they are awake by 5.30 every morning. Nothing works. Your only option might be to split them up but I suspect then they'd just go in to each other and probably miss each other massively at bedtime.

Mygoldfishrocks · 12/03/2014 18:52

Would they watch a DVD in their room quietly on waking ? This only works if they've got a tv/ DVD in their room of course! Or could you leave breakfast type snacks and toys in there?

atthestrokeoftwelve · 12/03/2014 18:58

I think the kids are getting plenty sleep- you can't expect them to sleep longer than 12 hours at a stretch. Why not just get up early? I don't know why you are tired - there is plenty of time for you to have eight hours sleep at some point during the time your kids are sleeping.

Lollypop1983 · 12/03/2014 19:10

My LO just went through a spell of getting up at 5/5:30am. I used to go to bed at 9 pm to make sure I had enough sleep. He's now sleeping til 6:30, although when the clocks go forward, I'm hoping that'll go to 7:30

Sorry, no advice, but I can feel ur pain

EatDessertFirst · 12/03/2014 19:10

I've got to admit 5.30 sounds pretty normal to me. My DC (3&5) have always been early risers. They go to bed at 6.45 and 7pm respectively. As long as they are getting enough sleep and waking naturally thats the main thing.

I wouldn't move their bedtime as you might find they wake at the same time anyway and be grumpy through lack of sleep.

We've just got used to the early mornings and enjoy the time we get to ourselves in the evenings.

So sorry I couldn't be more helpful. X

atthestrokeoftwelve · 12/03/2014 19:13

6.30 is a lovely time- My kids were always early risers, up at 5.30, at this time of year its so nice to hear the dawn chorus and get the laundry out first thing. Even now my kids are teenagers I get up at 6.30am, so I can have a coffee, shower and help them get sorted in time to catch the 8am school bus , then straight to work or the gym. I just make sure I go to bed early- it's not hard to work out.

Original poster

superbagpuss · 12/03/2014 19:29

I'm asleep by 9 pm myself unless I'm having a charity/ church evening in which case I am in bed later

I feel so tired and worn out all the time and I'm grotty, this can't be normal?

OP posts:

atthestrokeoftwelve · 12/03/2014 19:32

If you are having 8 and a half hours a night that seems plenty. Could you be anemic? Have you had your thyroid checked? A touch of depression?

ZuleikaD · 13/03/2014 08:12

I agree that over eight hours should be plenty - perhaps take a look at your diet? Are you getting enough Vitamin D?

Original poster

superbagpuss · 13/03/2014 17:49

I'm a veggie so I take vitamin and iron tablets anyway

I'm stuck in an office all day so not the best life style

OP posts:

Glasshammer · 15/03/2014 07:22

My kids have gone to bed at 6 in the past. Mostly they go yo bed at 6.30 now. They are so awful if they don't and if they wake early its also a problem. They just need lots of sleep

Separate the boys. If you don't have the space, let one boy sleep at the foot of your bed for a week, then swap and let the other one do it. Just a case of breaking the routine.

Also if they are waking for a wee at 5.30, try giving all drinks earlier in the day and stop at 4.30.

Glasshammer · 15/03/2014 07:23

I think the sleep thing can be genetic. Some kids/parents need no sleep or are kept awake when they really should be in bed

ZuleikaD · 15/03/2014 19:38

It's really not a good idea to deliberately try and dehydrate them to prevent them needing a wee earlier.

redcaryellowcar · 15/03/2014 19:45

My ds is 2.7yrs, he often wakes early, no amount of putting him to bed later changed when he wakes up, he just ends up sleeping less, i think its one if those things that he will eventually grow out of, or will always be an early riser .i have always been a morning person so maybe he will be the same. Suppose just need to look forward to when he is old enough to make his own breakfast and then bring me a cup of tea in bed!

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