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Parenting

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Original poster

Oh dear god I am fed up of bedtimes

18 replies

Flangeosaurus · 08/12/2023 18:56

2yr old DS has been an absolute menace at bedtime for the past two weeks. He just keeps bloody popping up like some terrible game of whackamole! I have now returned him to bed approximately 85 bazillion times. He is exhausted and desperately needs to go to sleep but apparently this means I’m the bad guy. Just here on the landing waiting until I can have an extremely large glass of wine! Anyone want to wait with me in solidarity?

I will also take any tips about defeating the stubbornness ingrained in a just 2 year old but I fear this one might be a lost cause

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LBFseBrom · 08/12/2023 19:03

It isn't even 7pm yet, I'd say that was a bit early for bedtimes even if he is tired.

I used to let mine fall asleep downstairs on the sofa with me and his dad and carry him up to bed later. The time varied but it didn't bother us.

imisscashmere · 08/12/2023 19:23

What time did you start trying to put him to bed?

Did he have a nap today?

ScoobyBooby · 08/12/2023 20:00

I’m with you OP currently battling with my 18 month old who hasn’t napped all day !

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sprigatito · 08/12/2023 20:04

I have no helpful tips other than grim, relentless consistency.

One of mine was terrible. He once appeared at the top of the stairs, teddy in hand and rubbing his eyes like some schmaltzy American cartoon toddler, sobbing as though his world was ending. When we rushed to find out what was wrong, he choked out "I am just so, SO sad that we have gone to bed". Little grotbag.

Pinkpinkplonk · 08/12/2023 20:05

Take him out for an exiting late night walk to see the Christmas lights tomorrow at 7 pm for half an hr, then straight to bed time. Then a story about how much children grow when they’re sleep!! 🤞

Chichz · 08/12/2023 20:13

We had this for nearly a year when DS used to nap at nursery and then not want to go to bed - but still wake up ridiculously early, of course! Massive solidarity.

We found consistency, so exactly what you're doing, with returning him to bed paid off in the long run. Also swapping over with OH when possible so we both knew that we'd get a break after a certain amount of time! It helped me stay calm enough (mostly...).

Eventually the nursery naps ended and he decided he was actually ready for bed at bedtime! I love your whackamole description... I know exactly what you mean! We now get that for about 5 minutes, instead of at least 50...

Eveningintheafternoon · 08/12/2023 20:16

LBFseBrom · 08/12/2023 19:03

It isn't even 7pm yet, I'd say that was a bit early for bedtimes even if he is tired.

I used to let mine fall asleep downstairs on the sofa with me and his dad and carry him up to bed later. The time varied but it didn't bother us.

My DS would never sleep if we did this. I’m not exaggerating.

He is actually a good sleeper but letting children stay up until exhaustion overwhelms them isn’t a sign of amazing laid back parenting, IMO.

Original poster

Flangeosaurus · 08/12/2023 20:34

He only turned 2 last week so he’s very little. He’s had a short nap (around 45 mins) but the last 5 nights bedtime has taken up to 3 hours so I thought I’d begin early! Also he was knackered. If I’d taken him for a walk in the pram he would have had a cheeky 5 minute danger nap and woken up refreshed and ready to terrorise me for the next few hours

He is asleep now thanks be to baby Jesus but also coughing a lot so really not guaranteed he won’t reappear

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Original poster

Flangeosaurus · 08/12/2023 20:35

It’s been a bad week as DH has been on late shift so I’ve done ALL the bedtimes

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T0rt0ise · 08/12/2023 20:46

Hahahahah. Solidarity. I have an extremely stubborn just-turned 2yo that is identical. Supermanned out of her cot at 19 months and had to go in to a bed and since then has been an absolute nightmare. We're very much return to bed in as boring a way as possible for however long it takes and hope she grows out of it. Funniest one was when I heard her get up but left her for a few minutes as I was reading something and came out to find that she'd stripped of her PJs and got herself dressed in daytime clothes! FML. 😂

T0rt0ise · 08/12/2023 20:48

(we've cut the nap down, she often goes out for a walk at 5pm when she gets back from nursery to see the lights, eats well etc and still just hates sleep!)

SErunner · 08/12/2023 21:02

Is he overtired? That's not much naptime for a just turned 2 year old, especially if he's taking ages to settle at night. Difficulty settling is a sign of overtiredness. Either way, if he's struggling to settle I wouldn't put him to bed earlier. Stick with a consistent time. You could also try introducing a gro clock?

Fixesplease · 08/12/2023 21:08

Gro clock, consistent bedtime, patience.. and a fair whack of wine!
Mine was the same, absolute nightmare around that age, it eased up with in about 4-6 weeks of every single night was the same routine.
I remember wondering if he'd ever sleep through the night when we were still doing the dance when he was 18 months!
He now sleeps 7 - 7 ( he's 6!) And is very much one of those kids who really, really needs his sleep.

It gets better, I promise!

Cupcakekiller · 08/12/2023 21:39

Try putting him to bed an hour later and just let him do whatever for an hour- takes the battle and stress out of it.

Original poster

Flangeosaurus · 08/12/2023 22:19

I have a 6 year old who I honest god thought had taught me about the wretched heights of fuckery kids will achieve to avoid sleep…I was wrong

His bedtime is extremely consistent, he goes up at 6.30 when he starts yawning and rubbing his eyes, pjs, teeth, snugs and story and into bed for about 6.45. This has always worked like a dream, and while he does sometimes wake in the night he’s straight back to sleep in our bed (which I’m fine with!). Just the last few weeks he’s decided this dream of a routine is not for him.

I don’t really think you can “fix” sleep anymore. I think all you can do is provide the right conditions, do your best to find your last shred of patience and persevere until the little sods darlings learn to fall asleep by themselves

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jannier · 08/12/2023 22:35

I'd say he's over tiered and needs a longer nap over tiered children can't switch off and go on like Duracell bunnies .....just like when we're exhausted expecting to sleep like a long and can't sleep they need 12 to 14 hours in 24

Original poster

Flangeosaurus · 08/12/2023 22:45

Thanks all for the suggestions of being overtired…I think sometimes that’s the case but in the last couple of days we’ve also had naps which lasted 2 hours and had a worse result than today! I think he’s just having a moment, I will persevere with coffee and wine as appropriate 😁

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DuploTrain · 08/12/2023 22:48

If he’s got a cough maybe it’s trickier for him to go to sleep.

When my DS has been ill he’s had a few rough weeks with sleep, but then gone back to usual… hopefully it’s just a phase. Crack open the wine.

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