3yr old - and doesnt seem to go to sleep easily, any similar patterns

[hermykne]

dd is a total pain presently
shes 3 + 2mths
up at 7.30/8am usually, wrecked by 11, needs a nap, i let her have one for about an hour.
we all get ready for bed at 7pm, ds in bed by 8pm, out for the count, (16mths).
she usually comes back downstairs, has a little supper and back up to bed, story and night night.

she then gets her self out of bed and could play for anything up to 2hrs.

its not with toys as its her imagination and hse makes things out of anything thats around (a box is a phone or a teapot, the press is an oven etc) so bar leaving a bed in the room i havent a clue how to sort this out.

shes busy all day.
she starts nursery in january, so i have no idea how to ensure a good nights sleep for her

she is definitely tired going to bed but cant unwind?

What happens if you cut out the nap?

I'm not the best person for advice (see the spirited children thread ). I've been considering confiscating light bulbs from her room (she worked out how to turn the light on recently, and plays with the light on now )...

flamerobin
no nap she usually conks out at 5pm just around me cooking dinner time when i dont notice or she is incredible cranky.
if i say no nap at lunchtime she obstreporously demands it and takes herself off to bed, ds is napping so i dont get into a screaming situation with her and let her have the 40/60mins

i took the night lite out, and no she wants the door open and landing light on, arrghhhh

its just a perputaul circle thing gy

I was thinking you'd say that was the case with the nap. I am no help then.... but have oodles of sympathy!!!

I think she needs to drop the nap - sorry!

Try doing something she enjoys when it is her normal nap time which should tide her over until she gets past the sleepy time.

Having said that ours would both try to fall asleep anywhere at this point and keeping them awake was a full time job. However even a 10m minute nap used to put bedtime back a couple of hours so our motivation to keep them awake was high

ta, saw your thread

merry soapbox
i could schedule christmas baking for the next week and see if that keeps her up
thanks

Me advising on sleep problems is a bit rich, but what happens if she has a longer nap in the day? You say you 'let' her have 40 - 60 mins, do you then wake her up? Have read that longer daytime naps can lead to a better night's sleep.

The other thing I would suggest is not to worry too much, if she is playing upstairs and not bothering you, does it matter if she's up late? Or do you feel she just generally needs more sleep?

franny......if she naps longer shes really wide awake come 8pm and wont hit the pillow til 10 or after.
it doesnt bother me shes happily playing upstairs while i recover after the day on the couch but i do feel she needs more sleep than shes getting, she can look wrecked after a few sleep "less" nigths

It's so hard isn't it? I find waiting a few months tends to mean everything has changed and there is now something new to worry about. I try not to compare with other people's children as well. Hope this sorts itself out.