My dd is nearly three and a half and a little poppet, but she finds it very difficult to go to sleep. Bed time starts at approx quarter to eight with stories which she enjoys, then 'sleep time' starts at eight thirty, but she just will not go to sleep. She will play with dolls, barbies, 'read' books etc but every so often will call for us, and i have to admit i do go up sometimes, but even if I dont she can be awake until 10.30pm. Sometimes, I am wishing her to go to sleep so that I can go to bed! I worry because she needs to be up every morning in the week at 6.45am at the latest so she is getting just over eight hours sleep, which seems nothing like she should be getting. My childminder today said she was exhausted, but daddy has just had to go up to try and finally settle her. Her comment five minutes ago was 'but I'm NOT TIRED mummy. Does any one else have this, any tips? or maybe she just doesnt need the sleep, even at weekends she will be up at seven fifteen. Oh God, for mums of a certain age, maybe she's another Margaret Thatcher!! Anyway, all help appreciated.