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Arrrgh - bedtime driving me crazy

2 replies

MrsDandBaby · 10/07/2012 19:52

Have 3.2yr old DD and 14 month DS - they have been sharing a bedroom well until about a month ago and bedtime was fine. Both usually asleep without fuss by 7.30pm.

About a month ago DD stopped going to bed nicely - lots of running around, shouting and generally keeping DS awake. (DS also earlier riser from 6am so was waking her early as well)

So we have split them up which is working better in the morning and DS is asleep by 7.15 usually.

But DD is still driving us crazy at bedtime. Have tried to get her to go up later but she always wants to go up at the same time as DS. Usually nice as pie getting teeth brushed, PJs on and story read. And then the fun begins - we have 1 - 2 hours of her in and out of bed, shouting for us over covers falling off, a drink etc. , running around upstairs, opening and shutting doors.

Not really sure how to resolve this, we usually get 1 or 2 nights a week when it works fine (probably lack of sleep catching up with her). We have pretty active days so don't think I can wear her out much more. And she's off to pre-school in Sept so i think this might solve the problem! But it's sooo stressful can't wait until then to get it sorted - any suggestions?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
lorisparkle · 10/07/2012 20:41

That sounds so much like DS1. He is a nightmare to go to sleep and still is not great at 6yrs (sorry).

I tried everything - rewards, punishments, shouting, ignoring, etc but nothing is the perfect answer.

What I find works best is a kind of calm, un-interested, action. So I go upstairs take him back to bed and usually have some kind of reward / punishment up my sleeve (e.g. I will take that favourite toy away if you are not quiet or you need to be quiet so I can pack the picnic for tomorrow)

If I ignore him completely he gets more and more wild but don't want to give him too much attention. As he is getting older he understands and responds better to rewards and consequences but 3.2 is still little for responding to future rewards and consequences.

I am hoping someone will make some better suggestions! Sorry.

Jac1978 · 10/08/2012 11:38

The first couple of times she gets out of bed remind her it's bedtime, put her back into bed, give her a kiss then leave. After that, you just pick her up and put her back to bed - no communication or eye contact - no smiling, pleading or shouting. It really is a battle of wills and you just need to take charge. It will take a long time the first night but if you stick with it you'll have this problem nailed within a week.

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