Bedtime for DC3.5

[whywhywhy5]

Please help. He dropped his nap a few months ago but bedtime hasn't gotten earlier. He sleeps 8.45pm-9pm to 6.30am.

We go up for a bath at 6.30pm and that's all happy. But then he's like a wild animal - wants to play fighting games, so loud, won't be read to any more.

It's so stressful and bedtime is SO LATE!

Please tell me what's normal and give me some tips please.

We have a stair gate on the bedroom door. We do the whole bath, bedtime story cuddle. Then we put on star projector lights and an audible book currently a paw patrol one. Say night night and close the gate and door. Ds age 4 will then turn on his big light and play usually until 830/9 then he will turn it off and climb back into bed himself and go to sleep.
It took the stress away for us. He's happy to play in his room and we know he's safe as his room is childproofed

This is really helpful, thanks. Will think about how to transition to a big boy routine. And get a gate!