Talk to me about 5 year olds and sleep

[Mummasaurusrexx]

My DS is 5 in 3 weeks and is impossible at bedtimes.

He has to have someone with him to fall asleep and even then it takes a couple of hours. We do a relaxing bath, Book, warm milk even sleep inducing foods in the eve img but he is ALWAYS wired.

He will need 5 trips to the toilet, 10 sips of water, he bounces his body on the bed, makes stupid noises, tosses, turns, literally ANYTHING to keep awake

I am a single mum, working, full time student and I am exhausted, and often just go to bed as soon as he's finally settled. He's the same for his dad when he stays there 1 or 2 nights a week, but his dad doesn't mind as its not every night.

I am at the end of my tether and I cannot carry on like it... Please any suggestions on self soothing / cds / lights Anything. Please help.

I really feel for you, you must be shattered. We’ve always used a very strict routine from them being young e.g. ‘No, not one more cuddle/drink/story etc, it’s bedtime’ but I appreciate that’s harder now with a 5 year old.
Could you work on one thing at a time? E.g. He could have audio books or read stories but once he’s gone to bed he has to stay in his room? Feel like tackling that would be better than tacking his length of sleep. I think you need to see it as behaviour thatvhe can change and a way has got to be found for him to settle himself, stay in his room.

We had a similar problem, then in wave of desperation I introduced ten minutes of ‘Talking time’ after the lights go off after story. DS floods me with information then when I say talking time is over he has been v good at going to sleep. Worth a try?

What time does he do to bed? Can you make it later? With the last hour tv free.
I'm afraid I have a 7 year old who is going through this at the moment but he was ok between 5 and 7. What if he was allowed 15 mins of reading or drawing in his room? With you checking in every few mins. I had to do 'I'm just going to the toilet' I'm just going to get a drink' 'I'm just going to put some washing away.'
I then go back every 5 mins or so until they are asleep. I still need to check on my 5 year old a couple of times so she knows I'm still around.
I think it's also important to let them know that they can't make themselves fall asleep and your not expecting that, but they do need to relax. Lavender on a pillow might help with this?