7 year old bedtime nightmare

[Greyandpink]

My 7 year old has always been bad at bedtime but I'm going a bit insane with it now. I know her body clock is messed up since lockdown and not as stimulated compared to a school day but its just a joke.

I do the whole bedtime routine, tuck her in etc, but then its oh mum can you do this do that oh mum i need a wee oh mum blah blah blah. Im literally just shouting go to sleep n stop talking.
I threaten her with things she cant do the next day like no ipad or playing out but that hurts me more as she does my head in. And it doesn't work, shes back to the same bs that night.

Im literally close to calling supernanny at this point.

Bit of background - its only me n her at home, she also comes into my bed in middle of night as always slept with me. I take her back to her own bed but doesn't stop her trying.

Pls help

Have you tried some sort of reward system?

3 evenings in a row of good bedtimes and she gets something she wants (a small toy or an activity).

10 evenings in a row and she gets something really really cool that otherwise you’d never normally get for her (painting her bedroom or a new toy).

It takes on average ten repetitions to form a new good habit.

I’d try to crack the bedtime issue first and then deal with the middle of the night issue completely separately later. You have to have patience with this one if it’s something she’s always done.

@INeedNewShoes So ive tried the reward thing, kindof good when shes good as were both really happy and she gets a reward, however, when shes having a bad night i will just say right thats it, cross on the chart then its like free reign to be a devil as she knows its ruined anyway.

Also whats classed as a bad bedtime, getting out of bed after ive tucked her in? She literally gets our 25 times everynight.

I just dont know what to do at this point.

Fab idea with the whole tackle bedtime first idea, as yes i do just expect her to have a good night and sleep in her own bed which youre right is alot.

Thank you xx

You are right, he lockdown doesn't help. A very active life leads to better sleep.

What works for my DDs is a solid bedtime routine and a chart with very clear rules and consequences. Routine includes being sure you wont need toilet in the next two hours, something like 15 minutes of quiet time (reading, talking, cuddles...) and keeping the same time every night as much as possible.
Consequences are earlier bedtime and no privileges (TV, tablet,...) the next day, adding one day for every time they get up without a very valid reason. Consequences have to be consistent and a certainty to work, not negotiable and no space for manipulation. At the same time you have to stay calm, keep a peaceful atmosphere and make bedtime a pleasant moment as much as possible... but I know, often it's hard.
Rewards help too but I would make clear that sleeping is a need and a pleasant thing more than a must, bad consequences are only a positive reinforcement to make sure you do what is the best for yourself, even your body is just asking for it. I'm strict with bedtime because it's one of the most important thing for the growth and it affects everything, school, mood, health,...

It's strongly recommended no screens one hour before bedtime to avoid over-excitement, from what I've seen this is true more than it seems.
Physical activity during the day helps a lot but there's a pandemic, both of you could do fitness following one of those youtube channel for physical activity indoor, just an idea.
A healthy diet affects the sleep too, or better it's another one of the most important thing that affects everything. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to bad sleep as well as foods with too much protein or sugar, so for dinner much better carbohydrates and a lot of vegetables.

I hope this helps you