Our 4 year old darling has from birth had a bedtime routine. Today, we do the funtime bath, stories, night light , re assuring exchanges of 'l love you' , kisses and cuddles. Her room is beautiful and warm. The time is 7.15 and l can not leave the room without her at my heals. Yes, l am firm and yes this has gone on forever. l hoped when she began school she would be too tired and would settle quickly - no! We can either have an exchange of 'get back into bed', 'it's sleepy time', but she will not get into bed unless l stay in the room until she falls asleep and this can take anything between 40 minutes to an hour. I do not want to end the day by getting angry with her and usually l stay, but in the prefect world l would be great to be able to say 'goodnight' and leave. l believe Joan Crawford used to tie her children in bed, but l am more of a Mary Poppins.