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Parenting

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Help me do this better - 3yo bedtime

1 reply

Deliaskis · 03/09/2014 13:28

DD is 3.6 and has always been fine going to bed, slept in her own cot as a baby and in her own room quite early, and never queried it, but at the moment, and for about the past 3 months, she's just been 'faffing' around. She goes up to bed fine, loo, clean teeth, etc. and runs into her bedroom and jumps into bed happily, and we do stories etc. and then at goodnight time she starts whingeing about not being sleepy, wanting a grown up to stay with her, not wanting to sleep, bed not being comfy, etc.

Now I know this is probably a pretty common problem, but I'm looking for a more positive way of dealing with it. I started off trying to be positive, talking about all the exciting things we are doing the next day so let's snuggle down etc. but it didn't work, so I ended up making it about being a big girl e.g. if you want to go to big girl ballet lessons you will need your sleep etc. This was probably a mistake as I have now descended to 'any more noise and it's no swimming tomorrow'.

Once I do that and leave her to it, she is asleep in about 5 minutes, so she obviously is ready to sleep really.

It's not a big problem, but I just hate ending every day on a threat, and would love to find a positive way of dealing with it.

Any thoughts?
D

OP posts:
Theyaremysunshine · 03/09/2014 16:17

What about the tickets idea? You give them 3/4/5 tickets to allow them to come and ask for something. They can use the whole lot if they want but for each one they don't use they get a reward - 5 mind later bedtime next day, choc button, marble in the jar etc... Once the tickets are gone, no more getting up or the next night bedtime will be earlier.

Hope that makes sense!

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