My 5 yr old will not go to bed without me laying down w/ her. This just started and is honestly driving my crazy. She says " I just cant go to sleep " But you can tell she is very tired! Then once I do get her asleep is a all night ordeal with her getting up several times a night and will actually scream and pitch fits until I do back in there! And I have to go back and lay w/ her b/c my husband and son also have work and school. Im really tired b/c the only sleep I get is about 2-3 hrs. She has a nightlight Ive played soft music Ive done everything I can think of.... So I just need a new perspective!!
Thank you all for some great advice!! Last night was a much better night! I stuck to what I said and did our "bedtime routine" told her she is going to be fine and when she did get up I just told her she will be okay and its time for her to go back to bed! She finally did go to bed on her own w/out screaming and w/out me laying down with her! She did wake up once last night but I told her that we all needed our sleep and for her to go back and get back in her bed. She cried and I have to say it was the hardest thing for me to do, not to go to her and lay w/ her but I didnt and she went back to sleep and slept the rest of the night! As a mommy I just have always wanted my kids to feel loved and safe and sometimes I really think they take advantage of me b/c they know I dont like to see them upset!
But again THANK YOU very much and Im still open to anymore advice other great moms may have!
The only method I know works a 100 percent of the time is if in w/e u use you sray consistant and don't give in.
I am a no-nonsense mom when it comes to sleep issues. I think she's old enought to talk to and tell her that you cannot lay down with her to sleep at bedtime OR thru the night because you need your own sleep. I would not give in... just go through your normal routine, but then stand FIRM. If your husband and son have one or two rough nights, so be it.
L., I will try talking to her and see why she doesn't want to sleep alone. Maybe she is scare of something. Give her something that she can hold on to it, like a teddy bear. Also be firm with her let her know that you are going to be close to her. Also watch of what is she eating and watching on tv. Somethimes if kids eat too late they get nightmares. Good luck
Please let me know if anyone gives you any good advice. I have a four year old daughter and we are having bedtime issues as well. She goes to bed okay (after several stories, coming out of her room many times, getting water, going to the bathroom, etc.) She wakes up several times during the night, though, screaming, wanting to get out of bed, wanting another story, etc. At about 3-4 AM every morning, she gets out of bed, cries in the living room, brings her pillow and teddy, and ends up sleeping on the couch. This has been going on for about 6 months now. I am at the end of my rope. I don't know what to do. We have done the "monster blaster" (flashlight) in case she gets scared, have sprayed the "monster spray" (water bottle), she has two night lights, have kept her door open, have kept the door closed, etc. Please let me know if you get any great advice because I'm also getting about 3-4 hours of sleep every night. To tell you the truth, I got more sleep when she was a newborn! Help! Thanks, K.
Hello L., I am not sure if you are still having trouble but as a ex childcare provider for 7 years. One of the things parents don't do is transition thier child from one activity to another. Children need to know there is a change going to take place just as we do as adults. We don't like people springing things on us, at work, home, or any where else. We want warnings, clues, as adults we want people to get permission from us. The child is the same way. I suggest that you plan for bed time. One of the things I did with the children, I would say you have 30 mins before nap-time or bed time and then I would say ok, after snack you have 20 min before bed time, then I would say you have 15 mins before the video ends, and then right after store time there is bed time. Yes, some children would make a fuss but very little, have a talk with your child and say to her, Look sweetie, honey or what ever name you use for her, we have wakeup time, bathtime, breakfastime, tv time, movie time, play time, or daycare time and bedtime. Explain how important bedtime is for Everyone.
Let her know that your 8 year old don't cry and you don't cry, daddy don't cry because you all know how important bedtime is. You get the picture, they start to realize that there is more than one time things happen throughout the day and so does bedtime. (don't do it before right at bed time the 1st time you talk about it) do it in the morning or at lunch time. Bedtime is a time to reflect on the conversation you had earlier, after a few days this may change.
Good luck
T.
CPR,1st Aid Instructor
Early Childhood Educator
You know, I once learned in church that if your child is having trouble sleeping that it could be due to something that is in thier room. Like pokemon cards or harry potter stuff. Things that are derived from satan...
This can be a few things she can honestly have touble sleeping and if so consult your PED or there maybe a fear of something perhaps nightmares or and open closet talk with her and ask what it might be or she maybe having good old separation anxiety and as you give in night after night she is learning that her tactics are working and this is gonna continue and unfortunantly your gonna have to break this habit by being stern and thats hard for us mommys! I would set a regular schedule for bedtime and for instance teethbrushed tub time story time check the room for open closets or such that might be scaring her set a sippy cup with water beside the bed potty time tuck in bed prayer night light on and then lights out and do not give in from that moment of course unless she is sick but you can't let her think that there is and option from that schedule! GOOD LUCK!!
