Quarter past effing four in the morning, this can't go on.

[Lilliput]

I am so furious with ds (2.8) for waking this early. There is no reasoning with him to go back to sleep and he whines and cries in a totally attention seeking way that I had to get up. Don't give me any bollacks about warm milk or leaving him to cry, I am venting my anger.

Is he too old for the controlled crying technique that Christopher Green recommends in 'Toddler Taming?' I found that worked for mine - after a hideous 3 or 4 nights, until ds got the message. All I can promise you is that it DOES get better - in the end! Once they can work the DVD player for themselves and you've child-proofed the lounge. Do you have a dh/dp/significant other who can share the load for getting up early? We used to take it in turns.........

Er, yes, we did controlled crying. DS learnt how to throw up on demand, so that's what buggered us up with him.

DD turns into Bride of Chucky, throwing all her bedclothes out of her cot, rattling the cot and intermittent screaming/crying. We did it for a fortnight with DD before giving up - she screamed/cried (standing up all the time) until daylight every time. 5 hours I think was the longest episode and we would have to change her a couple of times during each session because she would get the top of her sleepsuit drenched with tears/snot. what was the most horrible bit though was when you went to settle her and she would stop crying for a second thinking you were going to pick her up and take her out of the cot; then when she realised you weren't, she would absolutely wail, fight you, arch away from you, the lot.

So, no, CC, deffo doesn't work for ALL children...

We had a night away last night, we went to a dinner party and stayed over. We had a baby sitter stay in the house, she's great and I know her really well. Ds knew we were away and she was there, she turned up at bedtime so finished putting them to bed. Anyway the little bugger woke at 2.30am and that was it, he totally took the piss and would not go back to bed. She got up with him as he was insisting on going downstairs to watch TV. I feel as though I should have told her to be tough if he woke but she just did what she had to do. Amazing girl that she didn't phone us in the night, she really is one in a million but my god what a little bugger.

God if I'd have known you were up we could have played scrabulous DD has been waking up around that time for a month now (molars) and is being a total PITA.

She has NEVER slept more than five straight hours. I have to go now because SHE'S UP AGAIN.

up date on our situation, tried CC on Friday night, it was ok, he only cried for 40 mins on and off but we did not relent! He went back to sleep til 6am! Fab! Things seem to be back on track, 6am I can cope with.

This morning 7am, I can't believe it! XX

We have had 4.30 mornings since the clocks went back so I can really sympathise. Mine is only 15 months so easier not to get cross.

Glad it is getting better for you. We had 6.30 this morn - things are looking up!