7 yo going to sleep at 9-10pm

[33goingon64]

I know it's warm and light but this has been a gradual escalation for about 6 months now. The heat and light evenings aren't helping for sure but I wonder how we can help him get to sleep. Well the thing is I know what to do but the question is HOW?

He has always (since age 3) wanted the main light on in his room - we turn it off after he's asleep but if he wakes in the night he turns it back on again. I am sure it's keeping him awake but he refuses to let me turn it off. He's a very well behaved child but unbelievably stubborn when he wants something like this.

He also has masses of Lego in his room which he admits is a distraction from sleeping - so last night I cleared almost all of it out as an experiment, with his agreement - he came downstairs at 9.15 to show me a model he'd built by going and getting it back from the other room.

Eventually I persuaded him to turn the main light off (he still has a nightlight) and I sat with him til he fell asleep - took about 5 mins.

Are there other factors I'm not considering?! Any advice?

What’s his bedtime/ routine

My son is 7. In bed at 7:30.
He can read in bed till 8 but after that all lights off and must stay in bed, certainly can’t wonder round upstairs.

Yes that was how it was for us til about 6 months ago. It's just been getting later and later, he'll come downstairs for various spurious reasons or just fiddle about with Lego in his room. Actually tonight we cleared out the rest of his Lego and I just didn't turn the light on, he was asleep by 8.45 so maybe we've turned a corner...?!

This is us with our 4 year old. In bed and bedtime story finished by 8pm (stopped trying any earlier) but still kicking around, shouting requests etc until at least 9pm.

Having behaviour and listening problems - I'd say 99% due to tiredness but how can you help them sleep? I'm worried what will happen when he starts school in September.

Sorry no help to you but you're not alone!

Some children nust don't need much sleep. We realised when ds was about 2 that his natural rhythm was 10-6.30. DD was mpre like 9-7. Eventually we learnt to go with the flow. But there were never any behaviour isdues.

Dd has only just gone to sleep - she's 7. She'll be awake at 7:30 so that's 9.5 hours which is all she seems to need right now. It's always like this with her in the summer