Bed time blues

[SenoraPostrophe]

I'm typing this while dd is screaming for me from her room downstairs. I've already been down once as she was hysterical (and she's only 2). It's been getting worse lately.

I've noticed that she screams harder when dp puts her to bed - and on those occasions she screams for me. Could it be a sibling rivalry thing - that I have to put her to bed as that's the only time she gets 5 minutes alone with me? But it's not just that. She uses every stalling tactic in the book - potty, drink, etc (she will insist on having her cup refilled even if it's full). How long does it last?

SP - Sorry to hear you are having a hard time. I think the main thing you need to do is not give in, easy to say I know. It's just when my ds did this, unless it was something very necessary(sp?) I would not give in. I really had to be cruel to be kind. Once he realised he wasn't going to get his own way he soom settled down to sleep, thank goodness. Have you tried controlled crying because it is so hard to hear them cry. If you just reassure that mummy is here but it's your bed-time now and lay her down. Again I did that with ds and it honestly did work. He is almost 7 and I haven't had any problems since. All of the advice was given by the HV.
Good luck

Hello senorapostrophe. I have a 3 year old ds who until recently tried a very similar thing. It really isn't a very difficult thing to tackle but it takes some hard work on your part. If your strong and dont break the pattern then it should only take a couple of weeks.

What you need to do is,(sorry this may sound patronising as you probaby do all this anyway but i'll tell you anyway) get a routine together ie:bath and story in bed at similar times. Once you have finished the story say good night to her,close the door and go back upstairs (or wherever you go.)this is where the hard part starts.the key to beating this is you need 2ignore her completely. It's really difficult i know especialy when they are histerical and are screaming your name. The worst she can do is bang on the walls or doors and exhaust herself that much that she goes to sleep. I have left my ds screaming for about 2hrs before and eventualy he went to sleep. if you persist with this then over the next few days it should get easier untill eventually she will go to bed like a little angel. It is hard but i hope this advice is helpful for you. good luck. purplemum