Sleep Issues - Lilburn, GA

The boys are doing this because they know you will come running. Sounds like they share a room. If so, the 4yo is the culprit. He screams for you and wakes the babby. The baby probably will sleep through the nite if he wasn't waken by the 4yo. Now this is setting a pattern for the baby.

I think you need to have a long "stern" talk with the older one. Explain that his behavior is unacceptable. Why does he need a drink in the middle of the nite anyway? If he can't reach for is own cup with out disturbing the ENTIRE family, then the cub will be removed.

I can't even imagine how frustrated you are because I was annoyed just reading what you're going thru.

I hope you're able to come to a resolution.

This is a situation of complete and total manipulation...and you are falling for it hookline and sinker. It happens to the best of us.

At 4 years old, he is more than old enough to reach for his own cup. You need to stop running to them every night. He is not a baby, and you should stop treating him like one. I would talk to him and tell him that you will not be coming into his room anymore and that if he can not reach for his own cup, then he apparently isn't old enough to have one. I can tell you it's going to be rough in the beginning because he will knock his manipulation/crying up a notch (probably several notches), but you will have to stick to your guns if you want to get back to being able to sleep thru the night. Good Luck!

Give them a snack with protein at night before they sleep.

Also cut out all Sugar, Artifically Sweetened and Dyed foods, and anything with MSG.

This should help immensely.

You may have tried this, and this may sound mean, but don't let them work you! Tell the 4 year old that he can reach over and get his own drink, and that he has to stay in his own bed -not yours. I have a 3 year old, and I tell him he can't "sleep" in our bed because he won't actually sleep -he just wants to play. I give him a sippy cup that doesn't leak, so he can keep it in bed with him, but by 3 and 4, they can get drinks off of tables and sleep on their own without whining!

For the one year old -this may be unpleasant in a different way for a few nights, but don't give in! Change his diaper, hug and kiss him and tell him you love him, but it's time for everyone to go to sleep. If he starts a tantrum -let him have it. Ignore it, close his door and go to bed or to your living room or wherever. He'll eventually shut up and go to sleep! He has to see that you're not going to give in to his tantrums and give him what he wants. It may take a few nights, but he'll stop eventually.

If either child starts crying or screaming or having a fit after you've tucked them in, go check on them and if everything is fine, hug, kiss, reassure and leave!