Early Starts

[KitKat1977]

Hello, my 4 year old and 2 year old share a room and have been getting up at 5.15am for the last few months. They both come into our room and we all stay in bed till 6.30ish but the early wake ups are taking its toll. I think that the 4 year old may be waking the 2 year old so have tried explaining to him he shouldn't wake his brother but then then movement of his brother getting out of bed and the door opening woke him anyway. We have a stair gate on the door frame but that just leads to shouting.

Am considering splitting them up to see if that helps one or both but they've got such a strong bond it may just lead to neither going to sleep. Do I try an earlier bed time (currently is 7.30pm)? Or a later one for the oldest? Does anyone have any tips, advice or do I just need to roll with it?

I'm up around that time for work anyway 4 days a week but my other half does the morning routine and childcare drop so is suffering and the weekends are a killer.

Help!!!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Is the eldest eating enough in the day? Could they be cold st 5.30? If they’re not hungry or cold, I’d but a digital clock and teach them to read 7:pp and then tell them they have to be quite until that time. It’s fine to read books, but not to get up.

[MumUnderTheMoon]

I would put the older child to bed later. But if they are waking each other they could well do better in separate rooms. Put a bunk bed or double bed in each and then they could have a sleepover once a week or at the weekends that might be fun.