Bedtime woes

[IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour]

Just looking for some empathy and support really, I know there's nothing we can do about this situation and will just have to deal with it until it passes.

We have a 7yo DC who is pretty resistant to going to bed no matter what we do to help her. She will come down multiple times after going to bed, will complain about everything until she gets to the point where she claims she 'cannot sleep' (she's obviously exhausted) and winds herself up to the point she isn't sleeping sometimes until 22.30 at night!

Its exhausting and ongoing and a real problem for us. I didn't have to deal with this with either of my two older children so I was just wondering for those who went through similar, how long did it last? Any magic tricks to help her stay in bed? Her current routine is teeth brushed and hugs before she can read to herself for as long as needed and settle herself down for bed. We try everything, sitting with her, repeatedly tucking her in to threats and stern words. None of it seems to be working and we end up with her coming down all evening getting more and more distressed by her own lack of sleep.

I could have written this post!!

I have a 7yo DD who has had very similar issues since she was about 4....it has been incredibly testing at times, although they have improved abit the last few months.
Things we have found that work to help;

1. A bubble lamp and low glow night light in her room
2. Walkie talkies so she can communicate with us if needed rather than coming downstairs.
3. allowing her to read a book or have fidget toys in bed to help her settle, as we find if she is bored that's when she keeps getting out of bed.
4. A marble jar...she gets a marble for every night she is asleep by 9pm (that's a win for us!)
5. Ensuring that unless she is ill or especially tired she has no more or less than 10hrs sleep eg; if she is asleep at 9.15 she will be woken at 7.15, 9.30pm woken up at 7.30.Keeping this pattern over weekends too mostly (although we slacken off during school hols)
6. Lots of attention before bedtime, we do stories, usually play a quiet game with her, lie with her for short while and have cuddles but then go downstairs as she wouldn't settle otherwise and just talk!
7. Ensuring she has a chance to let go.of any worries either by telling us or writing them in her worry journal.
8. Audio stories that aren't too lively or loud

These things combined seem to be working! Hope some may help you too x