Behaviour before bed

[Wispygypsy]

I have a Dd who is nearly 5. Every night before bed she lies in the dark and babbles constantly for about half an hour, just a continuous dialog of randomness, bits of songs, noises, and lots of phonics spelling! Either myself or dh lie with her until she falls asleep, and if we ask her to be quiet she just carries on regardless.

This is constant and I always assumed it was her brain processing the day, but I'm curious to see if others do it too!

We have often wondered if she has been showing a few signs of autism for other reasons, and also wondered if this could be something seen more with autism.

Anyone?

That's a no then

It could be either. My 3.5 Son year old counts as he’s going to sleep, counts his fingers in a whisper or just says numbers going backwards and forwards. My daughter Sometimes sings or chats randomly occasionally about things that have happened recently but I think it’s just her brain sorting through the day xx

I don’t think it’s anything to worry about though OP.

Thank you, they must have such a lot to process and this must be an outlet or something! Thank you for replying

Why is it an issue? Leave her to it

Would she do it if there was no one there?

If someone didn't stay with her until she falls asleep?

Is she doing it because there is someone there to talk to if you see what I mean?

It's not too much of an issue, although she shares a bedroom and it can be disruptive for my younger child who goes to bed at the same time. Dh and I actually said this evening that perhaps she should go to bed a bit later than DS who is 2.5.

I don't know if she would do it if there was nobody there, she would never go to sleep, she would just run straight out of the bedroom rather than be on her own! She doesn't really do it to us, she's just talking and babbling away to herself!

So the youngest has to lie awake being disturbed by a 5 yo who has one of their parents in bed with her and he has no one?

Nip that in the bud before she gets any older. She runs out of her room walk her straight back to bed etc

No, dh and I are both there, we stay with one each until they are asleep. Yes, I wish we had been more disciplined with bedtimes from a younger age and not ended up in this situation!

My 5 yo DD is the same but its constant. All day. If she's not conversing with one of us in the family she's constantly conversing with her self. Singing, talking, phonics as you mentioned. I love it. I don't have any concerns. Shes just a very energetic and bubbly child.

@Wispygypsy

No, dh and I are both there, we stay with one each until they are asleep. Yes, I wish we had been more disciplined with bedtimes from a younger age and not ended up in this situation!

Well it's never too late. Sort it now.

I also stay with my children whilst they go to sleep OP. I also wish I’d done things differently when they were babies but hindsight is a wonderful thing I suppose. On the other hand it’s a lovely time to have a cuddle and a chat and it won’t last forever. Sounds like you’re a lovely mum xx

Yes, my 5 year old does this too. We say goodnight at about 7.30 and go downstairs. We hear her chatting/singing/spelling until she nods off, sometimes 10 mins, sometimes half an hour. We just leave her to it.

My 3 year old is very like this - I lie with her until she goes to sleep and she often babbles away (with me trying to ignore it!)

DD2 (almost 3) has been unwell and has been waking up in the middle of the night and coming to our bed.

SHE DOESNT STOP FIDGETING AND CHATTING!!! Humming songs and whatnot.... i can't sleep

DD1 is such a cuddler. But this one is not a good sleep companion,...

Dd5 does this, she falls asleep alone.

I shared a room with my younger sister for about a year when I was 9 and she was 7. She did it too and it drove me nuts. She's fine now though