Bedtime with siblings

[ReluctantEarlyRiser]

We're having terrible bedtime battles with my 3 year old. We also have a 6 year old who is fine going to bed generally. We used to lay with 3 year old until she fell asleep but this was starting to take hours so we started putting her into her own bed but now she insists we keep the big light on and sit outside the door, so not much better really. On top of this she calls to us constantly, gets in and out of bed or screams. If we don't do this she has a major melt down.

It's 9pm. She's only just gone to sleep and she keeps 6 year old awake too. Sometimes it goes on longer!

We have a good bedtime routine as far as I can tell. I am consistent in returning her to bed etc but it makes no difference.

I screamed her tonight because I'm so frustrated and fed up of having two tired and grumpy children. Plus I'm bloody tired and want some time to myself in the evening!

I feel like I cant just let her ride it out because it's so disruptive to her brother. Any advice?

No advice, but following hoping someone helpful comes along, as I stay in my 3 and 2 year olds room till they go to sleep but I really want to stop doing this. I want my evenings too!

What time does your 3 year old get up and go to bed? Do they nap? Getting a few hours of exercise a day?

Bed time routine starts at about 6.45 with a bath. She wakes in the night usually about 1am but not for long and then 7pm between 6 and 6.30. She gets plenty of exercise and goes to nursery.

Could the 6 year old snuggle up in your bed as a temporary measure, with loud white noise to drown out protests from the little one?

My mum often likes to tell the story of how she once returned my sister to her bed 52 times one evening. Apparently it was the only thing that worked - no talking, return to bed and walk out. I imagine there were a fair few protests as my lovely sister does enjoy a drama, but Mum said she cracked it in a week.

Failing that, would she be bribed with a sticker chart and a treat? DD1 is just 3 and will basically do anything in the world to get five stickers and therefore some chocolate buttons.

Ive tried star charts - she just says she doesn't care! Worked a treat for potty training though. I've also made 'santa won't bring you presents' threats much go my shame. She just says she doesn't want any presents The kid is stubborn!

How much sleep do you think she actually needs? NHS reckons 10-13 hours per 24h period (so including any naps) so 9pm til 7am would be in the normal range. Maybe try starting the bedtime routine at 19h30. You might find it doesn’t take hours to put her to bed if you start later.