I Need Sleep!!!! - Coulee City,WA

I don't know if you've seen Super Nanny's advice on TV when it comes to getting little ones into bed.
The first time they come to you, say "Come on darling, it's bed time".
The second time tell them "It's bed time". Nothing more.
The third time and forth and fifth, etc, etc, say nothing. Take them by the hand and lead them back to their bed. Remember to say nothing.
No TV, no drinks, no toys, no talking, nothing.
The more you keep this up, the more he'll know that in bed is where he's supposed to be.
It must be very hard to wake him up when you know that he's had very little sleep, but you have to be firm in making him go back to his own room with no discussions.
I really hope things get better soon. Take care.

PLEASE DO NOT LOCK YOUR CHILDS DOOR! It could prove deadly in an emergency!
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. I had a very similar situation with my daughter who is now 4.75 yrs. She is now also potty trained at night but wakes up at 10 to 6 everyday to use the bathroom and doesnt go back to sleep. Since she was born she never slept through the night and if she wakes up anytime after 4:30am for any reason she wont go back to sleep. That said, here is what we did:
This seems so simple, we were so mad that it was that simple and we didnt think of it before. I created a pictorial chart of bedtime routine. We talked about all the steps and what it meant to go to sleep (the last step)...things like we close our eyes and sleep, we DONT call for mommy and daddy (unless there is a fire or something big), we dont get out of bed until its light outside (unless you have to potty). It REALLY worked! it was that simple. She was so proud of her chart and that she knew what to expect. There are times that we have to remind her about how we behave in bed, but nothing like before! I know this sounds too simple to actually work, but what do you have to lose??? email me at ____@____.com and I will send you the chart that I made. I also make charts for just about anything (somewhat of a hobby of mine now), would be happy to help!

P.S. after I sent this I checked my email and there was a article on parentcenter.com that is perfect for you! Hope there is something useful here:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_dealing-with-late-night-visit...

You may have tried some of these things already, but I thought I would throw them out there...
A very physical activity an hour (maybe a little longer, but not too long) before bedtime to kind of wear him out, followed by a warm bath or shower (after a few min. of calm down time)
Read him a book at bedtime.
And I would definately move his bedtime back an hour or so (remember, some kids just don't need a lot of sleep... my son and I were both that way).
Also... my son loved getting up at 6 every morning. We had a "don't wake mom unless you HAVE to rule"! If it was his time, which he knew by it being light outside, he was allowed to put in a movie and sit quietly and watch it until I got up. I don't know about your son, but because it was routine and he knew exactly what was expected, he was very good about doing this. I think the light on, or the alarm clock playing music, are great ideas... but I think they need to be for when it's ok to wake up M., not when it's ok for him to get out of bed.

Get a reward chart. Go to a store and by small, medium, and large reward toys. Let him help pick them help. Then show him what will happen if he stays in his room all night long with out bothering you. If he stays in his room three nights, he gets the medium prize. If he stays in his room a week he gets the large prize. If he stays in his room he gets to choose a special treat with one of his parents all by him self.

And like the others, no more naps. Also increase his activity level during the day. How about swimming lessons, playing outside during the day, soccer?

I am sure you can see how it goes.

Be very picky the first few nights--no getting out of the room, no yelling, no coming into your room. Be firm and put him back where he belongs. It will be very hard the first two nights so do it on the weekend.

Good luck.

Hi D.,

Others may have already said this, but my first thought was about how much sleep he needs. Perhaps he needs a later bedtime? And the other suggestion of cutting out his nap (if he has one) is good. Beyond that, I recommend Supernanny's techniques. Here's the link that I could find: http://www.supernanny.co.uk/Advice/-/Parenting-Skills/-/R.... The other part of what she says is that he may be looking for attention/time with you that he's not getting during the day. ??? I hope this is helpful, and I wish you many a good night's sleep.

L.

I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I have twins that will be 4 in march. I too, have not slept through the night since the day they were born. One boy is better then the other and only occasionally wakes when he get cold. The other son, moans and whines and crys all night long. Every once in a while he says something funny. It usually pertains to the previous day from what I can figure out. I haven't been able to figure out a good solution for him to sleep soundly. I think his brain is just thinking all the time.

I noticed that you said you don't like for him to sleep on the floor. Is this in your room or his own. My one son that sleeps very well decided that he wanted to sleep on the floor rather than his bed. It drove me crazy at first but I figure as long as he sleeps then I am fine with it. He was getting up and collecting toys for awhile but then I threatened that he would have to sleep in his bed if he continued to do that. He pretty much just stays there. So if he wants to sleep on the floor in HIS ROOM, then let him. Maybe that will be the one thing that will work. Also, I like to have a night light in their room, mostly so I can see in the middle of the night. I use a fish tank that has different color LED lights that shine through. I got it at walmart. I works perfect. Maybe the slight hum of the fish tank will keep him alseep.

Good luck.

I can relate and have more suggestions but do need to run. Right now what works with our 2.5 year old is to give him his basket of books with the guideline, "If you lay quietly and read, you can have the books". Poor kid can barely see the books by the light of his night light but then again, I think that's why he falls right back to sleep. Private message me if you want some more brainstorming ideas. Like I said, I know the feeling.

A friend of mine swears by melatonin for her son. If it helps, you are not alone: our 3yo has never been a good sleeper either.

It sounds like you have many issues at your house. What time are you putting Jaxon to bed for the night? He may not need 12 hours of sleep in as stretch. If he's in bed by 8:30, after you put Lainee to bed at 7:30, that gives you an hour of one on one time with him. He needs that attention either from you or your husband, share that evening ritual with your husband. No more sleeping on the floor of your bedroom. Sounds like he might be having bad dreams, so talk with him, find out what's bothering him. Does he share his bedroom with his sister? Does she still get up in the middle of the night? Do you close his bedroom door so the phone ringing won't disturb his sleep? What time do you want to get up, or need to get up for your day to begin? If Jaxon were to get up at 6 am, is he getting a morning nap around 10? or does he get an afternoon nap around 1-2pm so he's not so tired in the evening to enjoy his dinner, his Daddy and then be able to go bed? What sort of activities does he have that he's physically and mentally exhausted to sleep through the night? What 'animals' are in your bedroom? Your son isn't your only problem for your sleep, get the animals out of your bedroom. Is this open concept bathroom the only bathroom in your home? And do all bedrooms open to it? If your husband's work is calling at all hours, it's like you never let go and go to sleep either, so it's not just Jaxon that's keeping you awake and not resting. Some kids are just meant to be morning people. They are unique as can be. You can give him activities to play with in his room when he wakes up early, letting him know that when he wakes up he has to be quiet, but he can read, play with some things quietly. He may want to go to the bathroom, can you sleep through the toilet flushing? Again, Mom, you'll need to learn what you can sleep through as well. This will pass. It's such as short period of time on the their life's timeline. He'll be in kindergarten soon, he will adjust and so will you. Before you know it, you'll be wanting him to get up early and he'll be crawling to the bottom of his bed with his covers over his head ignoring you for another 15 minutes of sleep, please Mom!!! Treasure these early morning wake ups. Get up, go get a book, snuggle him the rocker or on the couch, spend the one on one time with him, you'll both rest easier, maybe not sleep, but will get the emotional rest you both need.

IS he still napping in afternoon? If so, absolutely knock that out, so he'll be good and tired for nights sleep. I just did that with my 4 year old and she sleeps solid all night. Sounds like you're trying good things so far. My sister had a "floor sleeper" and she allowed it for sometime and then slowly moved his "floor bed" closer to the door and his bedroom. She literally inched him down the hall and into his bed. It worked, but took some time. Will he sleep all night on your floor? If so, that's good info that he's really waking for attachment and needs to be slowed weened away from, therefor disciplines won't be advantageous, he needs to let go and learn to be alone in a controlled, slow manner so he continues to feels safe. Good luck!

My son is 5.5 yrs old now. What I did when he started getting up in the middle of the night was...put him to bed later in the evening. Start with 15 minutes then add more time to it. I put his matress on the floor and let him read or play with a car quietly, till he fell asleep. I noticed when he was very active during the day, NO naps helped too. HE SLEPT BETTER.
Now that he is in school he falls asleep at 8 pm and still sleepy at 6:30 am.
You might also try talking to him, saying "Mommy and Daddy needs to get their sleep. So we can play with you during the day time."
Good luck

i would say skip the nap if that is still happening and try melatonine...3mg. it is not harmful and is non addictive. it is an herbal sleep aid. fill the day with activities too. keep him busy so that he gets tired at night. and maybe try keeping him up just a little later. yes. still give the meletonine after all of that...for a few nights.

Have you tried any homeopathic or herbal formulas? They may help him sleep longer through the night, not waking up. Sorry I don't have any first hand experience in solving the issue.... good luck.

I have a friend who has a lock on her children's rooms. They're usually quite good about being quiet in their rooms now, but she also sleeps with earplugs. (Although her husband *can* hear if there is a problem. She sleeps through the nonsense.)