Getting up in the dark mornings.

[redderthanred]

DD is coming up to 5. She is not liking having to get up when its dark. ( but then, who does)

Its not bothered her any year before, but shes getting really grumpy because she thinks its the middle of the night, and she cant understand why i am waking her so early.
She keeps crying and asking me to please let her go back to sleep.

At the momment, im waking her up, talking to her and giving her a cuddle, then telling her im putting the light on.

is there anything else i can do. She doesnt seem to get that it is actually morning time.

Earlier bedtime?

One of those lamps that gets lighter gradually?

Shes in bed by 6.45 ususally.

Shes not tired. i think shes just really confused beacuse its still dark. So im getting a half asleep, confused, then angry girl at 7am.

Those lamps are damn expensive though arent they.

I always turn on a light outside in the hall first, leaving her door open. Sometimes that's enough to rouse her. If not, at least when i do wake her, gently, as you explained, the light is not blaring at her..

I usually begin by reminding her something nice lined up for the day too, where possible!

I'm not looking forward to the teenage years, though.. Even my 2 year old is complaining these mornings!

Light in hallway first, cuddle, then start banging around the house yourself getting brekkie ready etc.

My DD is older, so I leave her an alarm clock on snooze - she's allowed another 10 minutes or so in bed but has to deal with the clock so she can't drop right off again. That may not be apt for a 5 year old but seems to be helpful.

Thank goodness this is the last day of the halfterm for us and then the clocks change.