3 Year Old Not Going to Bed!!!! GRRRR

It's a phase. My 3 yr old did it for about 4 months and I'm starting to see the light! Things are getting better. But it took us being very consistant and expecting only him to stay in bed, nothing else (and with a 2 month old, that was hard). My hubby and I traded off on who was "holding the post". We stood at his doorway and didn't let him get out of bed. We didn't talk to him either...that's what he wanted. If he got out, we went right over and put him back in without saying anything (all the while he was kicking and screaming...I'm sure you understand :) It will get better (if you are consistant and remain the "boss"). It's hard because all we went is for them to go to sleep (for them and for us!!!). Hang in there!!!

Have you tried giving him a warm bath using Johnson's Bedtime bath wash, or another lavender scented wash, and then a light massage with the lotion? This works for us when our girls have been wound up at bedtime. We do that in soft lighting with relaxing music playing.

Hope you find something that works!

Has his diet changed? My daughter likes to get slushies during the day and I haven't minded as it's been so hot. But I've realized that the extra sugar does not help. Plus, being so hot, she doesn't get outside to run around as much (also my fault as the heat makes me sick...I'm 7 months prego).

Do you wake him up at the same time in the morning or let him sleep? If you let him sleep, I would suggest waking him up. That might help him get to sleep earlier the next night.

Another thing we do with our daughter is something we learned on Playhouse Disney. It sounded totally stupid, but one night I was eager for her to fall asleep so we tried it. We "stretch out the sillies". She stretches her arms way up above her head and stretches out her legs taking a big deep breath. Then she exhales and curls into a ball. We repeat this several times and it usually calms her down. Not to the point where she is sleepy, but she's not up running around and fighting bedtime.

Good luck. I hope something works, whether something I said or another mom. I know how frustrating it can be.

If you give him milk right before bed, some kids' bodies us it as a stimulant. Try cutting out the milk from lunchtime on (or don't give at all). Humans are the only animal that continues to give milk after weening. Hmmm?

Read the book: Don't Drink Your Milk by Frank A. Oski, M.D.

Just a thought.

P. <><

This may not be realistic in your home due to the fact that you also have a 1 and a 2 yr old, but when my girl twins were 3 we would stay in the room with them when they were going to bed, so they would be forced to settle down; if they talked or got out of bed etc. we would enforce that they had to get back in their bed. By having someone in the room, you regain some control. Of course it would be better if he would go to bed on his own, but maybe you could get there later; maybe it is just good to get him in the habit of going to bed at a decent hour and then you can work on making him do it on his own. Definitely not what SuperNanny says but sometimes you gotta do what works for you. good luck.