Help! My daughter, who is 2 and a half, HATES getting up in the morning. She usually joins us in bed sometime during the night (please don't try to talk me out of that, I LOVE having her with me). We wake up together, usually around 8:00 or 8:30, but sometimes as late as 9:00. She's not potty trained yet, so of course she doesn't need to go the bathroom. Instead she lounges in the bed saying she wants to sleep for "another little minute". I've tried getting up without her, and starting to do things, but she still doesn't want to budge. Now, granted I'm not the greatest morning person either, and I know she's gotten some of this from me, but it's getting really frustrating that we're late for things, and I worry that she'll never get to preschool! I'm fairly certain she's getting enough sleep, so we really could just use some suggestions on getting moving in the morning that she might be able to get into.
Thanks!
When I have to get up in the morning I set my alarm for a half hour before I have to get out of bed... yes my daughter is in my bed too so it starts the wake up period. Everyday we play for a while then I start asking her what she wants for breakfast. Today she decided she wanted Oatmeal and she actually did most of the stirring so I have found that keeping her attention on the next task is a good way to change gears.
What time is she going to bed? Are you sure she's getting enough sleep? My 2 1/2 year old goes to bed by 9:00 and gets up at 8:00/8:30. You may have to put her to bed earlier. My daughter used to be the same way and once school started, I had to start an earlier bedtime about 2 weeks before school started so i could get her up earlier.
I usually get up before my son and get everything done and prepared for where we need to go, and then when I am 100% done, I wake him up, get him ready and we go.
GOod luck!!
Hi C.,
My son is the same way. I am also not much of a morning person so I have started using an alarm and when it goes off, we get up and start moving. I have a 2 and 4 year old and my 2 year old isn't much on cuddling, so he gets us moving somedays. I think if you get more active in the morning she will too. My son also comes to bed with us in the night and I cherish this time because there, soon, will come a time that he won't want to give me a hug. LOL!! Good luck.
Chris
Good morning C.,
How wonderful to have your daughter join you during the night, that feels really good, doesnt it? I suggest talking to her about your dilemma and coming up with a reward plan for her getting out of bed when you ask. Perhaps it might be playing a special game with her, giving her a special treat, or doing something special with her like go to the library. Let her know her incentive the day before so she has time to get excited about doing it. Although you do have to stick to your guns if she doesnt get up, that special event doesnt happen!
Have a brilliant day~
Life Coach J.
Hi C.~
You know the saying 'if it isn't broken, don't fix it.'?
...Okay, Im just kidding, but what a problem to have! :) I think the answer might just be routine. If you are sure she is going to bed early enough, maybe you could turn 'sleeping in' into its own reward. Perhaps put together some sort of predictable routine with your daughter, that on some days she has to get up by...(whatever time)...and then on other days she can sleep until...(whatever time)... Maybe even throwing in an incentive, like sleeping in as late as she wants on the weeknds if she gets up on time the rest of the week?! Personally, I would just adjust my days the best I could and worry about school later. Im sure she will go through many sleeping changes by the time you have to worry about school, and by then she'll have much more ability to understand being on time.
Good luck with your sleepyhead!
~L.
