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HELP
| Fri, 06-15-2007 - 12:36am |
I need new ways to wear out my son for bedtime!
He's 3 1/2. He gets up between 6:30 and 7 a.m. and goes to bed @ 8 p.m. So far, he still takes a nap.
Though I put him to bed @ 8, he is usually still awake @ 10, sometimes even 11!
I tried cutting out the nap alltogether and that did not help. First of all, he was super crabby and bratty until bed time. And he still sat awake until almost 10:30
He is outside for most of the morning @ daycare. And after nap we are outside except for maybe an hour and a half, when we make eat and clean up after dinner.
We bike, we walk, we run - you name it. I CANNOT WEAR THIS KID OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any Suggestions?

I apologize if this sounds dumb or whatever, but do you have the same routine every night? Do you read to him before bed as the last thing you do? If so, read in a quiet, calm voice. As far as your son getting up at night, don't give in to any excuses. When you put him to bed, tell him, "You went potty/had water/gave me kisses already..." (whatever)"so you are not to get up again." If he does, don't say a word to him and just march him/put him back to bed, leave, and close the door. Don't argue, lecture, rock to sleep, or whatever. If you give an inch, many kids will try to push further the next time, if they think/know they can get away with it. Also, have you tried a night light? Good luck to you. I've been there.
It sounds like he is over-stimulated late in the day. I would follow the other poster's advice and start "winding down" around 7:00 - let him relax in a bubble bath for a while, drink some warm milk (it does work - it has tryptophan in it), and read a story. Follow the same calming routine every night and I'll bet that his sleeping pattern will improve. Good luck!
Paige
Oh boy, I wish I had some!
Oops, I should have mentioned we DO have a bedtime routine. Treat, potty, water, books, prayer and then about 20 min quiet/cuddle time.
I'll try the warm milk.
My son is the same way and has been since the day he was born. Some kids just don't need
that much sleep. I would have a calming routine before bedtime. I would be consistent with it every night. You could try a later bedtime.
I used to get so worked up with worry because it got to the point where we would fight
just to get him to nap. Then one day when he was four I decided the both of us had
enough. As long as he was in bed being calm. Reading, drawing, even listening to soothing
music he was getting rest. I hope this helps. Good Luck, and no that you are definitely
not alone on this.
Pam
In that case, what kind of treat are you giving him? It might be something that stimulates him too much - too much sugar, mabe something that upsets his stomach, etc. I would avoid any food close to bedtime if I were you - they tell adults not to eat close to bedtime.
Also, do you do a bath? That could be very calming. Just a thought . . .
Paige