Can someone please help with 3yo bedtime

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DD turned 3 in July and once asleep is great, sleeps through.. but it’s getting there that’s the problem. She won’t lay in her bed unless she can see me, so I sit in the hallway outside her room and it takes between 1-2 hours for her to finally fall asleep.

She wakes anywhere between 6-7am, goes to preschool and doesn’t nap, gets home about 4. We then go for a bike/scooter ride to the park before dinner at 5:30, bath at 6:15 and then into bed for 6:45. At the moment it’s taking her just over an hour to then fall asleep so she’s asleep for 8pm, but can be up to 8:30. She absolutely loses it if she can’t see me, just sobs so I haven’t found a way to move away yet.

Firstly, is it ok that she’s only really getting about 10 hours a night? It feels low to me.

Secondly, any tips on moving away gently that means I can get that hour back..

No advice on needing you there but my 3 yo also gets to sleep and wakes up at similar times.

Try a Yoto to listen to. I would resign myself to being there at that age though, read a book or do a phone game or something so it doesn't feel like totally lost time.

My 2 year old has a very similar sleep pattern and also will not sleep unless she can see me. I have started not trying to put her to bed until almost 8pm. I sit in bed with her while she watches mr tumble before this. I chill on my phone or read a book before this time so it doesn’t feel completely wasted and I can try and chill too.

Thanks everyone, I have read a lot about how she should be going to sleep on her own now. I’m happy to stay, providing it isn’t going to cause any problems later..I would like to spend it with DH eventually. I’m studying for an MBA so maybe I’ll use that time to do work 😂

Sounds to me like bedtime is too early and she’s just not tired then. I know all kids are different but 6:45pm bedtime sounds insanely early to me. I think when mine were 3 their bedtime was about 7:45pm and like your DD woke up around 6:30am. And it’s not like the early bedtime is giving you time yourself if you are just sitting in the floor of the hall anyway. I’d move everything back an hour and see what happens.

Thanks @SummerInSun.. you might be right. When she first dropped the nap she was absolutely sparko by 6:30pm, maybe she’s just adjusted to it now and needs a later bedtime.

I’d try moving bedtime back and doing some active or rough play before bed. Some kids need to get their wiggles out. And taking away the pressure to fall asleep, so saying you’re there to make her feel safe and comfy and relaxed, not to go to slee etc

I agree about moving bed time a bit later. If you can all be downstairs for an extra hour and she goes down better it’s win win! My 3yo DD goes to bed about 7pm but she’s always been an early riser so is sometimes up at half 5!

This bed time is too early and she isn't tired enough. There's no point putting children who aren't tired to sleep.

I would change bed time to 7.30pm.