3 1/2 Yo Decied That Sleep Is Optional!

Updated on November 07, 2008
M.C. asks from Pooler, GA
8 answers

My 3.5 yo daughter was a fabulous sleeper up until the beginning of September. She started fighting bedtime which is usually 8 (doesn't end up going to sleep till about 10) and then getting up every couple hours or more and turning on ALL the lights in the house and making her way to our bedroom , turning on our light and getting me up. She refuses to go back to bed, she wants to watch tv or play. I keep bringing her back to her room without a word and tucking her in. She will either scream her head off and wake up her brother in the room next door or she will wait about 20 min (enough time for me to fall back asleep) and come through the house tuning on the lights to wake me up. We have tried explaining that she needs sleep and that mommy needs sleep (we are currently fighting pink eye, ear infections and a really bad cold!) We have tried giving her "tickets to mommy", a light on a timer to tell her when to get up etc. We thought that she was doing this because we have had lots of visitors over the past 2 months and that she was excited....it was both sets of grandparents, but the last ones left 2 weeks ago now. I really don't know what to do. She has given up her naps during the day, which she took religiously before (I am fine about her giving up naps IF she is going to sleep at night!)
This is really effecting my husband and my relationship as she is taking up the only time that we get to spend together and causing us to be harsh with her and each other (he works about 60 hrs a week so I/we don't get to spend alot of time together to bgin with). Not to mention that I am extremely sleep deprived and am not being a great mom to my kids because I am so grumpy. PLEASE HELP!
Thank you!
M.

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for your advice. WE got 2 fish and told Maddie that the fish ned to sleep so she couldn't turn on the lights in the house. That has worked...she will now get up and come to our room without turning on the lights. She is now going to bed around 9:30 ( we put her to bed at 8 but she keeps coming up with excuses to see me) and gets up between 4 and 6 for the day. She refuses to go for a nap but on some occasions she will pass out on the floor or where ever she actually stops and is quiet for a few minutes. I guess the next question is how do I keep her in bed longer? WE have tried explaining that mommy and daddy NEED sleep but that doesn't seem to sink in.
Again thanks!

More Answers

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S.W.

answers from Atlanta on

I've never been able to bring myself to lock my kid's doors. Just seems to me like that would be scary. She's also got to learn that while she can come to you when she really needs you, she has to respect the sleep of others. This is the age where I got serious with my son about his very early morning wakenings... told him he must stay in bed or his room quietly until I come to open his door (after 3 1/2 years of being awakened at 5:30). He got it too... I don't think it's a bad thing to be harsh with her. Maybe you're not being harsh enough. She's got to understand this behavior is not acceptable. Provided she's feeling better, I would sit her down, tell her the rules. She doesn't need tickets to mommy... she can just get up and turn on all the lights and there she is. Maybe you could try taking away something important to her and she has to earn it back by respecting her family's sleep. Maybe Daddy should be the one to put her back to bed... is he more stern? I wish you luck.

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C.C.

answers from Macon on

I have heard that some children that do not get enough sleep have a hard time sleeping at all. I don't know exactly how/why this works, but it does work for me. I am wondering if her little body clock is messed up from her lack of nap...? Her nighttime 2 hours sounds like a nap to me...? Good luck!!!

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D.T.

answers from Atlanta on

I would tend to agree somewhat with Cindy on this. I know so many people that too have installed the lock on the outside of the door (luckily I didn't have problems with mine). They didn't have to do it for very long before the child got the hint either. I would just make sure you had a baby monitor on in the room somewhere so you would always know if there was something where she REALLY needed you. If not that then why not turn all the light bulbs just enough so they won't turn on with the switch. I'd just do it right before you go to bed, and her bedroom one when she goes to bed. She's bound to get bored with this game of hers if she can't get the lights on....
I'm interested to see what works for you!

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T.M.

answers from Savannah on

I would think that she needs a change in the routine either during the day or at bedtime. She obviiously has some pent up energy or she's anxious about something. I would try and run her ragged during the day to make her very tired and even grumpy for a few days, if necessary. I also would try to change her bedtime routine...maybe she would like more time with dad or you, if one or the other does most of the bedtime routine? Maybe she needs more one on one time? There's always a reason so try to eliminate possibilities by changing things up...that's my biggest advice. MY oldest goes through these stages too but usually there is a reason such as wanting one more story at bedtime or need to run around more during the day or she's going through a growth spurt or a new tooth is coming in or she even wants to wear different pajamas...we've always been able to work through these times though by offering her more choices or taking her to the park everyday or what have you. Hope one of my suggestions work for you!Good luck!

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D.C.

answers from Savannah on

We put a small fish tank that has a light on it in my daughters room, if you can trust her not to touch it this worked really well for us b/c we told her her fish need her there at night and if she wakes up she can talk to them also they will be sad if she leaves them at night. We also make a big deal if she doesnt get out of bed in the morning ( although her getting out of bed to come to us was b/c she said she was scared and wasn't ALL the time)A few moms I know who have gone thru this said a spanking when there is no ligitamit reason (sick potty ect) is the only thing that worked she may just be testing you.

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C.A.

answers from Atlanta on

When she gets up during the middle of the night like that does she eventually go back to bed and go back to sleep or is she just up for good? The only reason I ask is because IF she falls back asleep. Even though it would be rough I would set my alarm for like 5:00 a.m. and go in there and make her wake up for good. Eventually she would be too exhausted to continue on like that. If she is going back to sleep and sleeping in later that could be the reason why she continues to do so. Also isn't there some sort of child-proof light switches you can purchase to put on the lights? If not, I would almost take the darn bulbs out at night so the light won't come on!!!
Have you tried explaining to her that nighttime is when everyone goes to sleep and let her know that if she gets out of bed that she will have a certain toy/privelage taken away from her or tell her she will have to go to bed even earlier the following day.
I had a cousin that installed a lock on the outside of the door because his daughter would get up during the middle of the night but she wouldn't come in there to wake them up--they didn't really know what she was getting into. I don't neccesarily agree with that only because IF the child does indeed need to get up during the middle of the night they need to feel secure enough to know they can get to their mommy and daddy. Another thing is this is a change in habits could there be a health issue going on? I would make an appointment with the Ped first before I try anything else just to make sure it's not a health issue. Perhaps the Ped. can also suggest some things as well. My pediatrician suggested giving my twins Melatonin but I am not sure that would help with your situation because it sounds as if you are not having an issue with her "falling" asleep but staying that way. Melatonin is an herb and melatonin is what your brain releases during sleep. It might work but I don't know and I would discuss it with your Ped. BEFORE doing that.

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P.S.

answers from Macon on

M.:
I feel that it is a combination of the grandparents' visitation and the common diseases that she is going through. It doesn't sound like that you are using a cool air vaporizer in your daughter's room. I had a cool air vaporizer in my childrens' room everytime they were sick, they continued to sleep right through the night. Be patient with your daughter a few more weeks, and I feel that she will return to her original schedule. Good luck.
P. S

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G.M.

answers from Columbia on

She is probably miserable and not feeling very good if she is sick with a cold etc. Just do the best you can at this point until she gets well, and then expect to get her back on track.
You also mentioned that you have had a lot of people in and out of your house, that's always going to disrupt everyone's usual routine, but it can't be helped. Stick to her usual routine as best you can, too many little kids stay up as long as they want and the parents let them because of the crying, tantrums, etc. or they allow worse habits to develop. DO NOT let her get in your bed or you will see your husband throw his own tantrum. Right now he needs to be patient while she is sick and realize she may need your attention more for a little while. Maybe daddy needs to get up and tend to her a couple of times, he's probably awake anyway. Just make sure he isn't angry when he does it. Patience, patience. Be glad that when she is up she comes to you, but it is not safe for her to be wandering around by herself at night. I'm afraid some discipline is in order if she continues this when she feels better. Nip it in the bud.
Good luck...I can't even tell you how many hours of sleep we have all missed raising our kids. We have survived and so will you. It's tough, huh? I'm older, but even my little dogs wake me up now with grumbling tummies early in the morning. I feel too guilty staying in bed when I know they are hungry. You just can't win!
Take care...

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