For the past two weeks, my 4 year old has been fighting bedtime. We make it clear that at 9 o'clock, he goes to bed and stays there. We have a bedtime routine, tuck him in, sing him a song, etc. But 5 minutes later, he creeps downstairs and "has to tell us something." We send him back to bed, but he usually comes down one more time. He looks st books because he can't fall asleep. And sometimes we hear him playing until 11:00! He is sleeping in a little bit later in the morning, but only until about 7:45 (the usual was 7:30)
We're unpacking from our move, and the weather has been cool and windy. Sometime it's a struggle to get him to want to go outside, and we haven't had the time to go to the park lately. Do you think he just isn't getting tired because he isn't playing hard enough? That's the only thing I can think of!
He could be having a hard time adapting to the new move and may need extra comforting to wind down. I know when we take our daughter to see my mom in another state we had a hard time getting her to follow her routine. We would have to stay in the room with her and read a little bit more. Then theres the days she fights sleep and when she gets over tired she could be a handful unless we just let her go until she drops.
Just a thought...maybe he's going to bed too late. When my son passes that 'magic' moment where he's already been tired and should have already gone to sleep, it's very hard for him to get to sleep and takes him a long time. Try putting him to bed at 8pm instead.
K.
He is still adjusting from the move. You need to take a little time everyday just for him. Take a walk or go to the mall. McDonalds play area. Something to break up the day for him and you.
Also, let him pick a book to look at before he heads for bed. As long as he is quiet in his room, don't be to hard. But be firm that he needs to stay in bed.
C. B
Hi S.,
Boy, can I relate to your problem. All three of my boys have gone through this stage. AAAUUGHHH! It's tough! Is he still taking a mid-day nap? I had to stop giving my three year old naps. By 7:00pm he is so tired and ready for bed. I read him a story, brush his teeth and give him lots of kisses. He's usually asleep in 10 minutes.
Also, when kids stay up too late their adrenaline goes through the roof and that really messes with their sleep cycles. You really have to stay consistent!!!!!!!!! KEEP TO YOUR BEDTIME ROUTING LIKE GLUE! It doesn't have to be anything big. I am the sleep Nazi. As soon as the clock hits 8:00 pm ALL my kids better be on their way to bed. It's not easy, but if they don't get enough sleep they are sooooooo crabby the next day.
Boys need that physical activity. It's like they run on batteries and need to run them down before they can mentally calm down. Sometimes, after dinner we'll turn on some funny music and dance like idiots. After about 30 minutes they start to wind down.
I used to have to stay in my kids room and sing them a few songs or rub their feet or back. That helps to calm them down, too. I hope some of these suggestions help. Try to stay sane even if it's hard. Good luck!
S.,
Your little boy is probably not going to bed for a number of reasons. A new move means a new house which means a new bedroom. A new move also means that you are very busy with getting things done and so is your husband. If you moved very far, even no more than a mile, he may feel like everything he knows, friends included, are gone. He may feel like he needs to stay awake just to make sure nothing else changes!
I would suggest that you take the time to create a 'My New Home' book with him. Sit him down and tell him that you want to make a book with him, and he is the star! Then have him show you all his favorite things about his new home. Take a photo of each one. Print the pictures off. Take some plain paper and glue one picture in the middle of each page, and then write a sentence underneath. Make sure each page has the same basic sentence. Some suggestions;
I love my new home because it has________________.
This is the _______________in my new home.
Then on the last page have someone help you out and have a famliy photo taken in front of your home. Have the words under it say something like, "My whole family loves our new house!"
Once the book is done, read it to him every night when it is time to go to sleep. It will provide some security for him and maybe it will help him sleep.
Good Luck!
J.
I've found that an earlier bedtime is good too but I also started to play a game before we go to bed called "Beat the clock". My son takes a bath and gets ready for bed. I set the timer for 15 min from the time I finish washing his hair. If my son can get his clothes on and ready before the timer goes off then he gets to stay up an extra ten minutes. If you start the game early he thinks he's getting a deal. Try to do everything you can to make sure he beats the clock and gets the 10 min. because if he knows he is getting those 10 min he's already getting extra time to stay up in his mind. My son was pretty cooperative with the game. I read this in a book and it worked for me. Maybe that could help?
Ya, maybe wear him out during the day - tickle, jump on bed, whatever you allow. Maybe lay down with him at night too.
