3.5 year old no longer being an angel sleeper

[AnnieJL]

Oh my word! My wonderful sleeper who is now 3.5 years old is now a nightmare at bedtime! Refusing to stay in bed. We got a stair gate fitted to her bedroom so she can't get out but she is still running around her room until about 9pm. She is so tired bless her but all she wants to do is talk to us and tell us hilarious things like 'Mummy, I have got to tell you that I have two feet - how funny is that?'. I'd probably laugh myself if I wasn't so fed up. What is the best way to get her to fall asleep? Have tried lots of milk, relaxing music in her room, talking to her, not talking to her, ignoring her (which I loathe as other than sleep issue she is an angel) and have also tried rewards chart, threat of no treats and promises of nice things like a trip to the park. Nothing works and I have not had an evening to myself for about 2 months now. Please! Any advice gratefully received!!! xx

My DS went through this phase although I seem to remember it being a bit earlier around 2.5-3 yrs old.

We put up with it for months and got him the drink of water he asked for in the particular cup he asked for, turned the light on or off depending on the whim of that particular evening, sang one more lullaby, went back upstairs to comfort him one last time...you get my drift.

Then one day we'd just had enough and I said to him, when you go to bed tonight no matter what you ask for we are not coming back upstairs.

Of course it took about a week for the message to get through and there were several tantrums. The first night lasting about an hour. But we didn't go up and if he did come downstairs then we put him back to bed without eye contact or talking. We must have done it around 30 times the first night but it gradually reduced.

I think it's called rapid return but in my experience it does work. Once we'd cracked it we were amazed at ourselves for not doing it sooner. Incidentally there was certainly no resentment from him in the morning. He was still just as happy and chirpy the next day.

What time does she get up in the morning at.. My DD does not go to bed till nine, she is up about seven. There would be no point putting her to bed before nine as I would imagine she would be at same ..