7 year old is naughty and wont sleep

[Kezzer23]

Can anyone give me any advice on how to get my 7 year old to go to sleep at nyt he has a routine everynight he goes to bed at 7.30 he is allowed to read a book or play a game until 8pm then i tell him its time for sleep now some nights he goes to sleep before 9 other nights he wont sleep at all he stays awake aslong as he can some nights he is still awake at 11pm and still wont sleep this happened few months ago the same thing just wouldnt sleep then went back to going sleep before 9pm but this last week its srarted again wont sleep wont even get in his own bed i have to lie with him every night until he falls asleep. I never get any rest from him as he is with me everyday and night. Yes he has a dad who lives with us but wont do nothing with him also a older brother who he always argues and causes trouble with. Somedays when he is naughty he kicks doors slams them throws things and stamps and screams about. Im really struggling now with what to do with him as i say i never get a break from him only when he goes to school where he is well beheaved no ptoblems at all. I was thinkin about taking him to see our gp about his behaviour and sleeping problems now

Very much not saying this to be insulting but I agree that you need to drop the term ‘naughty’. There’s a huge amount of research about how much it actually encourages negative behaviour as the child/ren subconsciously label themselves as ‘naughty’ and find it easier to lean towards those behaviours.

His school won’t be calling him naughty.

It’s better to briefly acknowledge/show understanding of what he’s feeling and then redirect focus by offering him a choice. Eg ‘I know you’re feeling worried, that’s ok. Do you want to listen to the story tape by yourself or together?’

I think playing games after bed isn't ideal. It'll keep him active mentally. I'd limit to books only.

This is very much like my daughter. She's improved hugely over the last month or so. We do a short game or colouring before we go up, then once upstairs we do all bedtime in her room (except for teeth etc). She has a low nightlight which is mainly red, and we use the moshi app to play a sleepy story or rain noises. Usually leave that on repeat. I also often read with the main light off and just my phone torch on low so I can see. I do stay while she falls asleep but we're going to start working on that now she going to sleep well. Usually asleep between 8.15 to 8.30.

I know you may think this is the opposite of what you should be doing, but move his bedtime right back, much, much later. He's awake until 9-10pm anyway. He can stay downstairs with you and watch TV, but something really boring. A BBC 4 documentary has made DS sleepy on many an occasion when he can't sleep and they are child friendly. He needs to go to bed tired and I don't think he is and you are sending him up too early which is just elongating the whole process. There's nothing worse than lying in bed unable to sleep and he is associating the need for you to be there with sleeping. No playing after bath time though. Just boring stuff. Dim your lights downstairs, get him a blanket to snuggle under. 7 year olds only need 10-11 hours a night, some less.