getting daughters to stay in bed

[makemineaginandtonic]

My daughters will not stay in bed at bedtime. They are 4 and 2 and are put to bed at separate times but 2YO is never asleep by the time 4YO goes to bed an hour later. They get up over and over again and I put them back without speaking or eye contact. We get plenty of physical exercise in the day and a good bedtime routine with stories and milk and they are normal happy girls. They are driving me mad though! Anyone got any ideas?

my girls drive me mad at bedtime too. I put them to bed at the same time as each other, and we have a very strict routine - bath, teeth, story, bed - and I am very strict about it. Even so, it's still hard to get them to stay in the bed! I sometimes get very cross, and actually that helps them realise I am serious about them going to bed.

Tell them that if they keep getting out of bed, all toys and books will be removed from their room. And then follow through. They can earn them back.

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Thanks everyone, I am on hols at my parents but will definately try the stair gate when I am home again. Hopefully with no toys to play with they will sleep! or wrestle!