Will not accept a bedtime story

[MandyD]

My son has just turned 3. I am a bit concerned because he will not accept a bedtime story, it has quite the opposite effect than you'd think. Instead of settling him it causes him to 'play up' and keep getting out of bed.

He sits to read with me at other times though. His bedtime routine is going to sleep with music (currently 'Baby Pan Pipes' and a cuddle and chat about the day.

I do feel he's missing out by not having a bedtime story, should I try it again in a few months time?

Have to agree with KS
My son is the same age and he is not in the least interested in a bedtime story. He usually goes to bed without a problem but on the odd night he plays up he will try to draw out his routine ( tells me I have missed a bit when brushing his teeth, wants more water, that sort of thing) . Im sure if he got a story it would be amother thing to negotiate . I have seen so many kids try it on with the old "one more story" routine.
Enjoy your cuddle and then some peace and quiet.

Oh yes jasper, we have the "one more book" routine with ds, who is 3 but loves his bedtime book(s)! We have the routine of potty, teeth, book, moon, bed. (He likes to go outside and look for the moon, not sure how it started but it's harmless enough I guess!) As long as you have a routine he's happy with and he listens to or looks at books at other times, I really wouldn't worry MandyD. The music and chat sound quite lovely actually! We have the chat with dd now, she's 5. It's nice to hear about the best thing in her day and the yukkiest thing too. Hopefully it means she will be more likely to keep telling us stuff as she gets older too. I'd stick with what you are doing, MandyD, and only change it if he asks...

My dds love book tapes which I put on as I leave the room, favourites at the mo. are Postman Pat, kipper and Goodnight Sleeptight-these are relaxation tapes for kids with imaginary stories of swimmimg with dolphins or going in a hot air balloon. They're both off in 10mins when I put those on!

My 2.7 months old son is going through a no-book at bedtime phase. After reading old Thomas the Tank umpteenth times in the evening I am so glad!

Those bedtime chats are so special. I still have them with my 8 year old and I'm looking forward to having them with the toddler in six months or so.

IME bedtime routines change over time - so whatever your son is wanting, see it as a phase.

Goodness, yes, I agree with that - MandyD, take advantage while you can, before you embark on the Thousand Nights with Thomas the Tank Engine. I think talking about the day is much better than just listening to a story anyway!

Mollipops, looking for the moon used to be part of ds (3 1/2)'s bedtime routine too It's died off a bit now (novelty wore off because of the inability to see it during the cloudy evenings.)

We always have a book (or three!) at bedtime, and have done since he was very small. He was always very careful handling books. However, my dd (13months)only gains her bookish pleasure from pulling them out of the bookcase and tearing out pages...

So glad to hear we are not the only ones who go moongazing every night! It was nice when it was warmer, but the nights are getting quite chilly here now and it's not as much fun anymore! Hope the novelty wears off soon for our ds too!