My children are usually in bed by about 7.30pm but if my eldest decides he doesn't want to go to bed (he has just turned 4) I say, so like it's his decision, when the big hand gets on the say the seven (like five minutes after the actual bed time)it's time to go to bed. So he clock watches and then says Mummy the big hand is on the 7 and then I say ok time to go to bed and off he goes. It may not work for everyone but it seems to work for me.
REDWHALEY 9/2/06 11:11 P
I let my daughter pick out her nightlight that sits very close to her bed. At night we have a couple of books that play music and light up. Although she's 3, she still won't sleep without her "Ocean's Wonder" as well.
Everyone has given you some great advice here. I'm sure something they've said will help. Consistency is the main focus though!
Good luck!
MEANDBAILIE 9/2/06 2:38 P
If I were you I would try to put him to bed and everytime he wakes up put him straigt back in bed with out saying a word. It may seem a little tiedious at first, but eventually he'll go to sleep first time. Good luck
STEPEVANS 9/2/06 10:59 A
I know my son is only four half months old. But a routine. On nights that the routine is off you can tell it. Just work on making a routine. Dinner, then a calming bath, a lotion down time, then maybe sit in his room and read a book to him. start with sitting on your lap, then your lap in his bed, moving on to him in his bed and you in a chair beside him. Make sure that everyone gets a good night kiss in there somewhere so that they can't get up begging for one as soon as you think it's done his asleep. Also, try some play time during the day in his room. Try to avoid naps in the later part of the day.
MBAUGH24 8/25/06 3:41 P
DOES YOU SON TAKE A NAP DURING THE DAY, IF HES TAKING AT NAP AFTER 3:00 HE NOT TIRED ENOUGH TO GO TO BED AT 8. i HAVE HAD TO CUT OUT MY 3 YEAR OLDS NAPS ALL TOGETHER TO GET HIM AND HIS BROTHER IN BED AT 8:30.
THEY WAKE UP AT 8:30 IN THE MORNING, THEY PLAY, THEY EAT BREAKFAST, MY YOUNGEST TAKES HIS NAP.(HES 22 MONTHS) AND MY 3 YEAR OLD PLAYS SOME MORE. I ASK HIM AT 1 IF HES SLEEPY OR I SEE IF HE IS HAVING ANY MELTDOWNS IF NOT HE DOESNT TAKE A NAP ALL DAY, HE EATS dinner AT 6:30 TAKES HIS BATH AT 7 AND IS IN BED AND PASSED OUT AT 8:30.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY TAKING HIM TO THE PARK AND LETTING HIM RUN HIM SELF OUT, SOMETIMES kids CANT sleep BECAUSE THEY HAVENT BURNED UP THE ENERGY THEY HAVE STORED.
GET A GAME PLAN OF WHAT YOU NEED AN STICK TO IT, READ A BOOK, NO running AROUND AFTER A CERTAIN TIME , HAVE A BATH AND THEN MAKE HIM STAY IN HIS BED, CHILDREN HAVE A TENDANCY TO SAY THERE SCARED BECAUSE YOUR REACTION IS TO LET THEM STAY UP. TRY BEING FIRM WHEN PUTTING HIM TO BED AND IT WILL PAY OFF IN THE END!
MAMAMOOSE 8/24/06 11:32 A
My daughter is 5 and still sneaks over in my bed some nights, but I really don't mind.
I did have problems in getting her to sleep in her own bed once she finally had a room of her own when she was 3. She was always used to sharing a room - first with me, and then her brother.
Letting her help 'fix up' her room with what she wanted helped some. I bought her a sparkly night light to keep on all night, and bought a 'fancy' light to keep on until I went to bed. The aquarium ones are great, as are the ones that project revolving pictures on the wall. I couldn't get either where I live, but picked up a fibreoptic light that changes color and rotates - she usually watches it until she goes to sleep. (a warning, though - some of these kinds of lights are defective and have fake 'approval' stickers on them and are fire hazards - check with local fire departments or consumer websites to be sure of what to look for)
My daughter also likes to listen to music while falling asleep - nothing too loud or excitable - and just loud enough to hear when she's being quiet and still.
There were a few nights at first when I had to pretend that my bedtime was the same as hers, and we both went to bed at 8. (wasn't I nice and rested the next morning!) I would gradually delay going to bed myself, telling her that I had to take a shower first, or wash my face or whatever AFTER she was settled in her bed. At first she would stay awake until I got in bed, but once she got used to knowing that yes, I was going to bed too, then she would fall asleep much quicker. (make sense?)
I know it's enough to make you want to pull your hair out, but it DOES get better over time. Consistency and routines are the most important things to keep in mind when dealing with kids!!
ROSEBUD12 8/21/06 9:29 A
If I could just add one more thing gals. I have raised three children and now I am a grandma and the suggestion that I have is to always keep it low key at least one hour or more before bed. Have a routine that will be relaxing like no TV, no running around or rough housing with the kids, just bath, talking, sitting in their room with them, reading to them in their room, quiet time, no more playtime. I would annouce that it is getting to be close to bedtime so we have five more minutes of TV, or playtime, or whatever they are doing, I would start to help to pick up their toys after five minutes and talk with them softly. If they cried about bedtime I would say to them "did I say you were going to bed yet? that's not for another hour. it's time to pick up and take a bath now." If they want a snack after bath make sure it is low in sugar no sweets and then it's time to brush your teeth now. I even started turning the lights in the house low and out in the rooms. There may be too much light in his room. Keep the light low and possibly one of those fake fish tanks that have a low light and a soothing water motion sound to it. It can work but it will take time to take the 10 pm down to 8 pm. You'd be surprised what one month of a schedule will do. Keep it as routine as possible so that they became conditioned to go to bed at a certain time. Privacy is an important lesson for them to learn when it comes to sleeping in their room and at a certain time. I always enjoyed at least two hours to myself to rap up my day and it was worth it. I always put them back to bed when they came to my room but I did allow one night called a camp out in my room when they were little. It was always on the weekend and if they came into my room any other night I reassured them that I was there and their bed was safe and escorted them back. Just a few suggestions from someone who has done it. Times change but behaviors of children do not. Good Luck It is Worth the Time and Effort. I am raising my two grandchildren and they are teenagers and it worked for them too. It still works as teenagers.
TLCOLLINS 8/21/06 7:27 A
One trick that often seems to work is bringing bed time forward slowly. If it is 10pm now, then for the next few nights, or even week, put him to bed at 9.45. After he settles into that, bring it down to 9.30, but again, leave it at that for a few days, so it is a gradual change for him. On the sleeping in his own bed, I had the same thing with my daughter. I am happy to co sleep though. She is 4, so not sure how that compares to your son. A few weeks ago though she asked me to make her room pink, and decorate it more. So it was a princess room for her to sleep in (it was painted blue from the last family that lived here). I obliged, and she now starts the night in her own bed. She won't stay in it all night, but I am doing the reverse theory to late bed time, and each night encouraging her to go back to her bed for just a bit longer, so she stays in longer each night. Hope some of this helps at least!
MOM2BOYS 8/20/06 11:06 P
My oldest used to always get out of bed multiple times. Eventually he got tired of always being put back in bed promptly. Consistency. You can't make him sleep but you can teach him to stay in his bed over time. Maybe letting him have some books to look at would help.
TRUFFLEMAKER 8/20/06 10:44 P
You don't say how old your little boy is... that will make a difference in how you need to deal with it. I will assume that he is under 5. I have 3 boys and have been through it all many times!
What helps the most is routines that will lead up to bedtime and sleep. Right after dinner, make sure it is quiet time. No TV, sports, loud games or other stimulating activities--for him OR for others in the family (he'll want to join in anything exciting that is going on). Run a bath and let him play (quietly though--not noisy splashing and silliness etc) in the water for a while. This should help him calm down for the night. Get teeth brushed, and pyjamas on. Let him pick out a book, and read a story together when he is in his jammies. Have a special sippy cup with water in his bedroom so he has no excuse to leave his room.
Also, try to find out why he is afraid. Maybe the light is casting scary shadows and needs to be moved. Or maybe he needs you to check for monsters or whatever. Make it fun and keep it lighthearted and reassuring.
It will take a while to establish a routine that works. Be patient. Focus only on him--forget the dishes etc. because you'll do them when he's asleep. Make bedtime a special time he shares with a parent.
One more thing, you can't move bedtime 2 hours all at once because he won't be able to fall asleep. Try to move bedtime back even 15 minutes at a time, until it is where you want it to be. Good luck!
MAMA1984 8/20/06 9:53 P
help me with my little boy oh my gosh he is up tell 10;00 pm every night. wont go to bed tell we do. he dont sleep in his bed cause he is afraid of his room i do have a lamp on in his room . please girls help me!!! very tired mama
