Is this stalling bedtime or should I be concerned?

[MumOfHals]

Recently my nearly 4 year old has been saying something hurts when she goes to bed, a few times it's been her knees, or belly.

She eats so much, she's constantly on the go and she never complains unless it's bed time.

I asked her tonight if her eyes hurt and she said 'yes' I said do your ear lobes hurt 'yes' do your finger nails hurt 'yes'

Is this quite common for kids to test their luck? When she did it for the first time we brought her downstairs and let her watch a film...

Or should I be concerned further? I have health anxiety so diseases and stuff worry me.

I go in she puts her head down I say what's the matter 'this hurts' I say well go to sleep and it'll go away, we don't hear about it again? It's also not every night. Some nights it's 'im thirsty' or 'I'm not tired'

Sounds like bedtime stalling especially if she's not complaining in the day. My dd always gets hungry at bedtime even tho I ask 10 minutes before if she wants supper I started to make it clear if she didn't have supper when offered then there was nothing untill breakfast. I'd say we'll see how it is in the morning now go to sleep and pay no more attention to it unless off course there is clear signs she's in real pain.

Sometimes my 4 year old does this too - he will say something hurts, so depending on where we are (bath/bed) I say, the warm water will help your tummy/knee/leg etc., or sleep will help your ear feel better in the morning. Then distract him with chatter/playtime in the bath/storytime at bedtime. Sometimes I will do a cursory check of his ear if he says they hurt as he has been prone to nasty ear infections in the past, but more often than not it's a delay tactic. Whoever thought teenagers were the champions of procrastination didn't consider the toddlers.

Sounds like stalling. especially of the first time was rewarded with late bed and a film.

depending on what hurts - 'magic cream' rubbed on (savlon or similar), hot water bottle that is safe for children for aches and pains, and a quick kiss and a cuddle. Rest is best for things that hurt .....

What is it you think you might need to be concerned about? There's no specific on-going issue, is there? So, even if her knee was hurting, if it's stopped by morning and doesn't come back for days or weeks at a time, what's the concern?

I used to do this to stall bedtime! "I feel sick" was a common one...