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3.5 year old fighting bedtime

2 replies

cluelessFTMhere · 02/02/2026 20:42

Hi all, looking for some advice for my 3.5 year old who’s just woke up one day and decided he no longer wants to cooperate at bedtime. Routines haven’t changed when DS is with me bedtime is pretty consistent for 5 out of 7 days.
-dinner 5:50/6:00
-bath 6:30/7:00pare
-teeth brush
-books
-last chance for water, toilet
-bed around 8pm
Started off by stalling bedtime, needing the toilet, drink, need to show me something, needs a different teddy to the night before. Now we get past all the back and forth and once it’s time to fall asleep has a burst of energy, getting out of bed, leads to him having a tantrum and hitting/smacking which is something we grew out of months ago.
Any tips on what I can do differently, how to get through this, does he need a later bedtime?
TIA

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Makingpeace · 02/02/2026 22:13

Overtired perhaps? Presumably he doesn't nap any more?

Swaytheboat · 02/02/2026 22:23

Have you asked him in the day what is wrong at bedtime? Is something worrying him? Starting to worry about death isn't uncommon at this age.

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