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My 4 year old WONT sleep!

3 replies

Ashlinbriyoung · 13/08/2014 00:52

My little one use to be an amazing sleeper slept all night in his own bed he hit 2 years old and started weakening through the night coming into our bed (we should of nipped it right then) but we didn't anyway it was still at a point where we could handle he would sleep 5 nights in his own bed and then be in ours for the rest he started being sneaky and was getting quiter and quiter coming through so we didn't notice, then it got to a point were he would only fall asleep in our bed we got that stopped thankfully I use to be able to read to him and walk away now I have to sit with him till he is asleep then leave, we have a new baby who sleeps all night thankfully but my other one doesn't for the passed 18 months he has only probly been in his bed all night for about 3 months but that isn't in a row,he wakes up and screams and screams and screams sometimes wakening the baby up I'm shattered I hate nighttime I don't know what to do I have asked to doctor and health visitors and get the aw response "you don't hear if an 8 year old still sleeping with there parents" this doesn't help me this makes me think oh yes he bloody will if I don't sort it out, I sit with him when he wakes up during the night to save the screaming but I'm up till 3/4 in the morning I'm shattered all day and feel awful because I snap at him for the slightest thing but I'm so tired and frustrated! When he does sleep all night I still don't get a full sleep as I'm subconsciously waiting for him, his dad tries to help at night but he works up at 7 back by 5 it isn't fair to keep him awake he does the weekends but one day a week "full" sleep isn't enough, I hate nighttime so dread it so much! At 5pm onwards is just sadness cos I know what lies ahead! I have made his room all super hero's and we read stories he doesn't get TV in bed or anything like that no fizzy juice ever or sweet stuff before bed I just don't know what to do! The more I do during day with him the less he needs to sleep!! HELP ME PLEASE I don't know what else to so :( :(

OP posts:
theendoftheendoftheend · 13/08/2014 00:55

When he wakes up screaming its not night terrors is it? Just normal child like stropping?

Ashlinbriyoung · 13/08/2014 00:58

No he wakes quietly and will come through but as soon as I get out of bed to put him back he starts screaming and then goes limp making it really hard to get him back in bed he fights with me the whole time jumping in and out whilst screaming he has a nightlight and everything

OP posts:
theendoftheendoftheend · 13/08/2014 01:10

Well i have a dd aged 4 the same then! I find being kind but strict at bedtime helps. If she wakes in the night and cries etc i do immediately go and get her to stop her waking the baby. I tend to sooth her, take her to my bed, cuddle her tills she's sleepy again and put her back in her own bed. I put the onnus on her to sleep as if she is over tired sadly i won't be able to take her swimming/to the park/the party etc as sadly she will be too tired to have a nice time. Plus i need to know that she can do as she's told so it is safe to take her to places like the park/swimming and if she can't follow instructions like staying in her own bed/being quite so as not to wake her baby DS, she can't go as keeping her safe is my duty and if i can't rely on her to do as she is told when at home, i can't risk it when out.

I knoe that sounds a bit wordy but it works for DD!. It also means we don't argue as I am 'on her side' and trying to help her sleep at night so i can help her do fun things during the day.

Never row about bedtime!!

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