I don't know what is going on but my two boys are both taking a long time to sleep at night (usually a half hour, sometimes up to an hour). We have a routine and we follow it every night. I expect this in the summer when it is lighter out but it is getting darker now and they are in school all day. I would expect them to be exhausted like in years past. They are clearly tired. I can tell by their moods, fighting and oversensitivity. Any suggestions?
Sounds like you might be missing that "window" of opportunity where they are sleepy, and they are getting a second wind or wired up.
Try for an EARLIER bedtime- I know it sounds weird, but trust me!
Keep the routine, just move it forward a bit.
They are overtired, plus having a hard time winding down.
With my kids, I actually EXPLAIN to them... that when they get like this, and are fussy and getting on each others nerves.... it is when they are OVER-tired... I explain their "symptoms" and how when they DO get enough sleep and rest... they feel much better. And they agree. So instead of fighting with them about "go to sleep!" I just explain to them, that all this restlessness and irksome antics, is just because they are over-tired. So.. that means... they and their body need rest and sleep.
Otherwise, it dominoes all week. And they won't have a fun weekend.
And I also make the house all dark (except for 1 lamp on)... like 1 hour before bed. To get them keyed down. And prepped, for bed... per the environment.
My kids are 6 and 9.
Maybe they just need more to decompress and relax after a busy day. Could they read a book or listen to a story on CD, or maybe even watch a little TV while relaxing in bed for 1/2 an hour?
My oldest used to have a hard time falling asleep. We had a collection of traditional fairy tales on CD and she would listen to a different one.
move bedtime up an hour, they are getting overtired and going to the hyper stage
Read What's eating my child? Using 1 mg of melatonin does wonders. Also need to look at nutrition it's directly related to behavior.
I know that some people say that TV time before bed is bad, that it jazzes the kids up, but we've had the same routine for years. Bath or shower, about 30 mins. of TV time on Mom and Dad's bed, then kisses and bed time. I guess I don't worry much about how long it takes them to fall asleep because my boys know and have always known that getting out of bed comes with BIG consequenses!!! (sp??)
M
