it takes our 3 yr old almost half an hr to 1 hr to go to bed. hes still in a crib and doesnt climb out. but he lays there yelling for me most of the time. he makes me sit with him for a little. he asks for water. asks to leave the door open. just constantly stalls. lol
he goes to bed way too late the way it is for a working home and him in daycare so im looking to see how other parents do it.
leave him whine cry and call for me or answer to him as he wishes.
Is he ready to transition to a regular bed? Maybe if he is in a big boy bed, he might feel more comfortable because he has the freedom to come out for help if he needs it. Does he feel trapped in his crib? It might be an incentive for him to stay in bed if he likes his bed. You could let him pick out the sheets and comforter or even buy a "car" bed off of Craig's List. Just an idea :)
Give him a covered straw cup of water. To keep beside him.
He can have a little flashlight in bed with him.
Tell him, you know he is stalling. This often amazes a kid, that we know...they are doing this.
Tell him no talking... you get a magazine, and a book light, sit in a chair, all dark, and tell him no talking. Then you READ that magazine. Do not engage with him.Don't even look up, at him.
If he tries to converse, tell him "shhh....Mommy is reading.... sleep..." and just repeat that.
AND start the ENTIRE bedtime routine... EARLIER. 1 hour earlier... so that he does not end up falling asleep later and later.
That's what I did with my kids when they were younger.
My son was in a crib at 3 years old.
Why? He LOVED it and slept GOOD in it... and still fit in it, then one day HE told us he wanted to be in a bed. So then we did. And he was fine and ready.
What about taking care if EVERY foreseeable stall right AT bedtime?
Door cracked, water in a sippy, sit & read 1 or 2 books (pick out before bath time) etc., then put on a music or story CD. Say goodnight, turn in a nightlight & leave.
If you're not doing something for him to listen to now, it might really hold his attention. Good luck!
Start bedtime an hour earlier to accomodate for the stalling. Work the water, bathroom break, story, snuggles, etc into the bedtime routine. He should be tucked in by 8:00 PM, from there it is his responsibility to fall asleep. I would not respond after tucked in. If he truly needs something (potty, drink) he will quickly learn to get it before he is tucked in.
Can also help to print off/write up a bedtime routine and post where he can see. Then he can follow along. Let him know that once he is tucked, he needs to goto bed. He will test you...don't give in! If something is truly wrong, you will know.
As for the crib, I don't think it hurts anything. I wouldn't switch to a bed until you have the bedtime 'drama' squared away. Good luck!
i suggest you put him down to sleep, and tell him you will not be answering any of his pleas tonight, and do just that. no matter what he asks for or yells, leave him be. it should take no more than 3 nights of tantrums, but he will finally understand that bedtime means sleep time. it will not be easy and it will take alot longer for him to get to sleep, but 3 nights are a small price to pay for the benefit you will receive. the key is to BE CONSISTANT.
Everything 'OneAndDone' said....plus, what I do is tell them 'No more stalling...I have to go do XYZ now, I will be back to check on you in a lil' bit' and then by the time I go back to check on them, they are out like a light! Yes, it's a 'trick' but it works like a charm!!!
~Just a side note, nosey question for you... but why is he still in a crib? Isn't that kind of hindering his potty training abilities? If he doesn't climb out of his crib (what a good kid BTW) I bet anything he would LOVE a big boy bed...the excitement of it might even help with the needed distraction at bedtime? Just a thought.
probably time for a big boy bed.
how does he 'make' you sit with him?
have a regular, reliable routine and stick to it.
don't speak to him or interact with him in any way after you've finished the routine.
it's not the end of the world to sit with him for a bit, but no speaking or touching, and a little less time each night.
khairete
S.
I agree with the routines...that's the key. and stick to it whatever it is, bath, snack, brush teeth, story, bed is ours. Also, I think it's time for a big boy bed. he might get excited and want to go to bed!
Since he's too old for a toddler bed I suggest you go straight to a bigger bed. My niece went straight to a queen for both kids. She figured their bed would last them until they were adults so she bought them each new beds.
I think that this little guy is really normal though. Most people just don't go to the bedroom, lay down, close their eyes, and are instantly asleep. I get on the laptop, read, watch TV, visit with hubby, etc....kids are the same. They want to have time to relax and take a breathe.
