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Original poster

Running out of patience with 3 and half year old sleep. please help

8 replies

popgoesperfection · 04/09/2023 08:04

I'm really struggling with 3 year old ds2. he'll be 4 in December and his sleep is all over the place. Last night he was up twice before 10pm, he went to bed at 7:30. Up and down all night wanting to get in my bed, coming in my bed then getting back out into his bed. He was up about 5 times after 10pm and then up at 6:50 this morning. I just don't know how to tackle it, i'm knackered and at a loss what to do with him. Please has anyone got any advice or tips or anything !??

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 04/09/2023 08:08

What’s his day look like?
what happens when he gets up/ tries to get in your bed?

5678letsgo · 04/09/2023 08:10

How much understanding do they have. Probably not the best parenting advice but we got a growclock and told our 3.5 if he sleeps in his bed all night and waits for the sunshine (which initially was set for 6am but now 6.45 - you gradually move it later) he gets a sweet. Done that for a week or so then now moving to sticker chart so he gets a sweet/treat after a whole week as obvs don't want him having a sweet every morning but he needed it the instant reward. Just used fruit pasties so only 1 but he was motivated enough by that. He isn't allowed sweets except for a reward though.

Quitelikeit · 04/09/2023 08:11

Is he getting out enough during the day? No sugar before bed? Black out blind?

Original poster
popgoesperfection · 04/09/2023 08:13

He isn't allowed out of bed until his grow clock sun comes up. We go downstairs about quater to 8 after i've tidied upstairs, got dressed etc. He doesn't nap anymore. During school time he goes to nursery in the afternoon. Bedtime is 7:30, we read a book and have a cuddle then he gets in his bed and goes to sleep. During the night when he tries to get in my bed i take him back to his own bed.

OP posts:
Whitepaleness · 04/09/2023 08:13

5678letsgo · 04/09/2023 08:10

How much understanding do they have. Probably not the best parenting advice but we got a growclock and told our 3.5 if he sleeps in his bed all night and waits for the sunshine (which initially was set for 6am but now 6.45 - you gradually move it later) he gets a sweet. Done that for a week or so then now moving to sticker chart so he gets a sweet/treat after a whole week as obvs don't want him having a sweet every morning but he needed it the instant reward. Just used fruit pasties so only 1 but he was motivated enough by that. He isn't allowed sweets except for a reward though.

We did exactly this! Grow clocks are amazing and helping them understand it’s still night I need to go back to sleep.

Original poster
popgoesperfection · 04/09/2023 08:15

We have a grow clock, sun is set for 7:00 am. Over the Summer we haven't had a day at home on my days off work, we've been out most of the day doing different activities.

OP posts:
5678letsgo · 04/09/2023 08:19

Have you tried rewards for doing it? My son is 3.5 and lately we are finding if we explain to him several times and talk about stuff on the run up to it he gets it and then use the sweets for motivator at first.

Original poster
popgoesperfection · 04/09/2023 08:23

yeah we've done reward charts, i did a rewards box so if he slept through the night without getting out of bed he could pick from the reward box.

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