T.S.
Are you napping when your kids take a nap? You definately need your sleep in order to deal calmly with children. When is bed time and how long does your child nap during the day? What is the child allowed to do at 4:30 when he wakes up? I know with my children if they woke up before 5:30 either I put them back into bed or else they were allowed into bed with me (depended if Dad was still in bed too or not) I did not get up so they could play, I never turned on the TV for them or expose them to any other kind of active interaction. Most of the time I wouldn't even talk to them beyond telling them "it's too early to get up". After those few words I would then either put them back in bed or else raise my blankets, allowing them in. They usually fell back asleep and even if they didn't they had to be still and quiet for me to rest. If your child is beyond being still and quiet while next to you I would go out to the couch with him and cuddle under a blanket together. Once again you don't talk or interact in any way beyond a shush every once in a while as needed. If he tries to get out and go play you hold your cuddle and tell him to "be still and go to sleep". No arguments, no talking, you close your eyes and rest even if he is fussing at you some. He is smart enough to understand his choices are to lay quietly with you or lay while fussing with you. The laying down part is not his choice. I assure you kids do not enjoy fussing and would rather cuddle in peace in your arms (that is as long as they know they can't fuss themselve into getting playtime, your attention, or the TV). Hope this helps.