3.5 year old waking at 5am.

[Lottiebugz22]

She's got a clock with a moon and the sun on that she used to take note of and she'd go back to sleep but she is too wide awake now. I got up an hour before she did so I could get myself ready before she got up and then I'd only have her and the baby to sort out before nursery. Now it's a case of me trying to rush around to get ready and get her ready at the same time. I have tried to explain its too early and to stay in bed and play with her toys and books until the sun comes out but it's not working anymore. I feel so mentally and physically tired with the mornings now. I don't know what to do.

If my 4yo wakes before the gro clock she has a snack, brioche etc, and i give her the kindle to play/watch. She knows she has to stay in her room.we've done this since she was 3.

Depending on what we are doing for the dat, getting her ready/dressed only takes 10mins so i get her ready after me

Also OP when is bedtime?

Has she got blackout curtains? Is the much earlier sunrise affecting her sleep?

Yes she got blackout curtains. She goes to bed at 6.30pm. I've tried to ipad too but she will stand at the gate and cry until I go back in as she will end up waking her baby sister.

Keep her up later. Mine never went to bed before 8pm.

Put her to bed later.

That said mine are early risers and are still up by 6 even now they are a lot older.

Think it might be time for a later bedtime! We are in same situation with DD3, and pushing her bedtime back by an hour to half 7ish means she generally sleeps till past 6 again.

The mythical 12 hours overnight is not needed by all kids. DD has only ever needed ~11 hours overnight max.

Another vote for going to bed later, mine went at 8/830 at that age and got up at 6.30/7

Wow 6:30 is so early for that age, no wonder she is waking early. My DD goes to sleep about 8/8:30 and has done wince she was about 3 yo, wakes up around 7 most mornings and will stay in her room until 8ish when i get her up for nursery