3 year old toddler bedtime is so f*cking annoying

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Honestlllly so jarring! I'm looking for a vent buddy not tips on blackout blinds.

You give them such a nice day and then they just won't go to sleep at night! All the excuses and all the talking. It is so so hard to be patient because you are tired yourself.

I am hot and bothered and fed up today!!!

I am in two minds whether to have a second child and honestly on days like today I don't feel like I deserve one if can't be patient at bedtime.

Please can a normal mum out there tell me she finds these resistant bedtimes just as annoying.

And breatheeeee.

Yep. I get so frustrated at bedtime with my 2yr old. Every time I tell myself I'm going to be calm, let him do his thing, not put any pressure on him etc. but when he's still trying to climb cupboards and throw books around the room an hour and a half later it reeeeeally tests my patience.

What's worse is he falls asleep within 5mins for DH. So clearly I'm the problem!

3 year olds are just another level 🤣 solidarity as bedtime takes forever with ours at the moment and I also find it very hard to stay patient!

100% - sometimes I think when you’ve given them a better day they stay up later. We did loads today, being outside etc and he was awake for ages. Last week was packing for house move, he had hours more paw patrol than usual - straight asleep at 7

Bedtime with toddler/ preschooler can push me to the edge! You are not alone and hopefully one day it’ll get easier 😂

Children are hard! My 2.5 year old refuses to go up the stairs and I can't lift him . Some evenings I'm just so tired that I resort to bribery to get him up and then we get up and he doesn't want to get changed and then it's cries for more books. He wakes at 5.30 am and I'm on my last legs by the time he goes to bed. It wearing and I wonder how my grandmother had 12 children because I'd be gone round the twist

what a twatty and unnecessary comment

Yes OP, it’s so challenging when the whole
process is so prolonged!

When you say ‘all the talking’ - stop talking back. Take control and don’t let her drag it out. Follow your routine, bath, story, cuddle, goodnight. And leave it at that. Don’t reengage. Ignore any ‘Mum I need a drink/a wee/ there’s a kangaroo in my room/ I’ve grown an extra leg. You will know if she is ill or genuinely distressed.

Kids drive you fucking insane girl!!! But we love them and they're precious. You're only human and you're doing great. I also have a 3 year old and she doesn't listen to a single bloody word I say. Also give her a fab day and she cries if I don't let her have a hash brown.

To be fair, @Secretlysurviving, I’d probably cry if you didn’t give me a hash brown, too 😁

Routine, routine, routine! Mine don’t have a bath every night but generally at that age it was pjs on about 7, up to bed 7.15, wee, teeth, get into bed, ONE story, kiss, cuddle and leave the room!!! I’ve got 4, eldest is 12, youngest is now 4, I didn’t have time to faff around at bedtimes!!!

Yes! For us parents, in our mind bedtime is countdown to freedom... For our kids mind bedtime is countdown to separation or even abandonment!
So you can see where it all goes wrong, it's totally normal, and they won't be climbing the walls at 10 years old (hopefully)

@MrsSkylerWhite hahah! I mean I agree I would also do not the best example in the world!! The days are long but the years are short and we are so blessed to have these little annoying crazy magical smart loving ruthlessly brutal beautiful babies!!

Thanks everyone! The constant guilt of mum life it is nice to know you are not alone whatever your parenting style.

Giggles re kangaroos and hash brown also appreciated!

She's finally gone so now work emails before some good old love island to decompress. A whole day of parenting awaits tomorrow but luckily not on bedtime waaaa hooo.

All the stages are hard in their own way aren't they.

Eurgh I completely agree with you my 4 year old is still awake, we've just come back from holiday where we have enjoyed more relaxed bed times but regretting it now.

The sassy attitude is un real also, I am so over it ! DH is away for next 3 nights so considering putting across the stair gate at the top of stairs and going to bed the same time myself so I don't have to keep getting up and down 😂

@twigy100 solo parentjng survival guide 101

It's tough isn't it it

Maybe because our kods are still small small

I do find my friends with 8 year olds plus are not as stressed about bedtimes

Can anyone with olders offer some hope?!

I am with you on this, currently sat on my 2.5 year old toddlers bed trying to get her to sleep, I feel your pain!

Oh I feel you!
My son is almost 2 and a half. It's usually 'I want water' (he has a bottle of water by the bed, but it's always wanted just when he should be going to sleep, of course!) He'll mess about, chat, and then want more water.
Tonight was 'I want pyjamas on', then 'I want them off', to wanting them on and off again. They just try everything to delay the sleep!
I'm also in the same boat of considering a second. It's just the evenings that put me off really😅

We had this with my recently turned 3 yo DD. Once she was asleep she was down for the night but there was about an hour of silliness beforehand. The last week, however, something has switched and she's been going to sleep like a dream. Just got my fingers crossed it lasts. What I'm trying to say is; it was a phase for us and I'm hoping it is for you too. Sending positive thoughts.

I always find this with bath nights too. Mine doesn't get a bath every night, so it's not a part of his bedtime routine. On bath night he takes ages to fall asleep. I've always thought it should be easier in those nights!

🙄

Kids can be massive dicks at bedtime (doesn't mean we don't still love them) but FFS you don't need another story just go the fuck to sleep!!!

@Nix99 hopefully that magics flies to my house! So pleased for you after a battle x

@outside1inside

My baby is 15yrs now. There are still bedtime problems, but now its ‘could you stop clomping around like a herd of elephants and turn your music down so I can go to sleep at a decent hour’. 🤣