Bed time for 5.5 year old

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Just wondering what time everyone's 5.5 year olds go to bed?

Since the clock change, dd is staying up later and later... last night it was 9.30pm 🤯 She wakes up naturally around 6.15 every day.

Problem is I am a single parent and I work full time in a stressful job. Which means that I am internally screaming by 8, and literally on my knees by 9...

This evening, despite a week of school, various activities etc, she is still 'not tired'. Sadly I am beyond exhausted, so I have said that she can play quietly in her room until she feels tired and then she can go to bed, but she is not to call for me or come out unless it is an emergency. Now I feel really guilty but I need a fucking break and I've got so much to do!!!!

Is this another sign of her getting older... most of my other mum friends say their similarly aged kids are in bed and asleep by 7.30!!!!!

That's 10hrs sleep and 10-13 is suggested for this age do that's OK, but op's dd is only getting maybe 7 or 8hrs. She's probably sleep deprived which can make them hyper at bedtime due to the body releasing cortisol.

It also leads to early wake ups.

In bed by 7pm asleep by 7:30pm

I no it’s not a popular parenting technique but my DD who recently turned 6 has always been a terrible sleeper, but what works for us now is up for stories at 7 in my bed, into her bed at 7.15 and I lay in her bed with her and cuddle her. We do ‘best thing worse thing’ and then I say goodnight and shut my eyes. Most days is 5-10mins for her to fall asleep. On days that it takes longer I make an excuse to go downstairs for 15 mins and explain il be back for more cuddles soon. Normally she’s asleep when I get back but if not I repeat the cycle. Again I no it’s not ideal but we both love those cuddles and she won’t want them forever.

We do stories at 7.30, lights out at 8, normally chats to her teddies and is asleep by 8.30. She wakes up around 7ish

I have to confess though, we had a few months where she would not sleep and kept coming out of her room, insisting she was scared, then being a nightmare to try and wake up in the morning. Did everything we could think of and then eventually let her sleep in our bed and then she was out like a light. So she’s still sleeping great but she’s in there with me while DH is in her room!

Thanks everyone again for your advice, I really do appreciate it!

Update on tonight, explained to her earlier that I would make her a special sticker reward chart, and if she gets 7 stickers a week I will buy her a small toy of her choice. And then if she does a full month, she can choose an outing to go on.

Well, did story and cuddles and I said goodnight, explained she can play quietly or just lie in her bed and think about happy things etc, closed the door at 7.36. She came out at 7.38, and I thought 'oh here we fucking go again', but no, she went to the toilet, came for a quick cuddle, went straight back in and was singing to herself for a bit but has been silent since 7.50...

I've since had a bath, washed my hair, made her reward chart and am about to paint my nails, feeling far calmer than I've felt in months...

Keep your fingers crossed for me!!!

That’s great, OP. Everything crossed for you and her.