My 2 1/2 yr old goes to bed around 8pm every night. Since we started potty trianing he has been getting up at 5:45/6am and not going back to sleep. He does have to use the potty at that time but will not go back to sleep if I don't go back to sleep with him. I on the other hand want to start getting up early to try to get some exercise time in and eat breakfast before the boys get up for the day. I havent been able to do so because he gets up and doesnt go back to sleep. Sometimes I feel that he knows that I am up so that means its time for him to get up too. He shares a room with my 8 month old son so I dont want him to wake the baby up. So I have been laying down with him in my bed. And I wound up falling asleep when I don't want to.
So it doesn't matter what time I put him down it's still early. It's ok. I'm going to try a few things that you guys have suggested. Thank you so much for your input. :) I am very proud of my 2 1/2 yo. Last night he woke us up at 2:30 am that he had to go potty. He is doing wonderful and we are just super proud parents. We did a cold turkey to underpants. No diapers what so ever. He's had his accidents but it's ok.
This same exact thing happened to us when we potty-trained my daughter around two. We never found a solution, except that in a few weeks it corrected itself. Hang in there....I would let him get up rather than sleeping with him, so you don't set up a pattern that might be harder to break than the early morning potty.
Maybe if you think he can read a digital clock, you could have O. in his room and tell him what time he's gotta stay in bed til? Can you play (softly) a story CD or music so he will lie in his bed & listen to that? Try to keep the lights all off or very dim & make sure he has room darkening blinds/curtains in the bedroom. I remember telling my son "Look, it's still night time out."
What if you lie on the floor beside his bed for 10 or 15 minutes--maybe he'll fall back to sleep.
I remember going through a similar thing and I never felt like I had time to start the day before my son was awake...very frustrating to have to hit the ground running every morning, isn't it?
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on having a 2.5 year old that not only is potty trained, but even gets up to pee! that's AWESOME! Know that you are in the minority there!
As for the sleeping issue, you could try putting him to bed a little later if you think that would let him sleep a little longer. Would he be content to watch a little early morning tv snuggled up on the couch while you exercise? If not, I would probably just continue to do what you're doing, laying with him until he goes back to sleep, and just do what you have to to stay awake, or set an alarm to wake yourself back up. I use my cell phone's alarm, and keep the phone on vibrate under my pillow, and it always wakes me up, but doesn't disturb my son.
Best of luck!
That may just be his waking time for a while. My four year old was always up at 5, and that lasted almost a year, no matter what I did.
The answer? Get up with him, and keep him in the room where you exercise! Put on a video, put out play toys and hop on your treadmill or whatever you have. It is great to get him used to this anyway, because then you can continue it! My kids have been watching me run for years. Take your monitor incase the 8 month old wakes up, then you will know. good luck!
My son is about a year older than your's, but I've been having the same problem. I've just started putting out a bowl of cereal and some milk and then going to exercise. When he wakes up he can just take care of himself until I am done exercising. Of course he still comes and bugs me sometimes, but at least he can't use the excuse that he is too hungry to wait.
I'd agree with the advice to put him to bed a little later to see if it keeps him asleep longer. But, circadian rhythms are hard to change. We all know people who are naturally up at 5:30 and are just morning people. I am not one of them.
Our 3.5 year old is a morning kid. He's up at the same time (doesn't matter when he goes to bed) and ready for breakfast. Our 21 month old is the complete opposite.
Wish I had more advice - hopefully, it's just a phase. Perhaps it's a good time to get up with him and spend some one-on-one time when the house is quiet?
Hi, T.:
Change your exercise routine or include him in it.
Good luck. D.
8pm-6am is 10 hours. If he is taking a nap of 2-3 hours in the afternoon, then he is getting enough sleep and it may be too much to expect him to sleep later in the mornings.
It may be time to look at adjusting routines, his and/or yours.
Best of luck to you!!!
