My just turned 4 year old is generally pretty good, but is overtired and overwired at bedtime. He jumps on the bed, gets out of bed, kicks like a demon when put back in it, won't put his pyjamas on, occasionally howls, and I have to admit it can get quite shouty. Tonight he kicked me in the face - not really deliberately but still, it made me flip.
My usual consequence for bad behaviour at bedtime is no stories, and it is quite effective - I have to follow through maybe once a week and he is invariably better for a few days. But recently he seems to have figured out that if he acts up when the stories have already been read, there is nothing else I can withhold.
Any thoughts as to what I can try? Earlier bed would help but is quite difficult logistically.