Still struggling with bedtime - 5 yrs old

Not sure I am looking for an answer, just to vent. Ever since I took away the binky (at 3.5 ) my daughters bedtime has been horrible. Some of it is my own fault because I watch a lot of kids during the day and by the time night comes, I am spent. The last 3 nights she was up until almost 1 am!!!!! Pajamas, brush teeth, book, and in her room by the latest 9. She does have a tv in her room which I set a sleep timer for 1/2 hr - 1 hr depending when she gets in there. The rest of the night she will mostly stay in her room, read books, destroy her room, invent some wierd thing to play and just stay up soooo late. I don't know what to do. She gets up at 8 so I don't think that is so late to justify a bedtime that late. Last week she was in cheerleading camp from 9:30am - 2pm and still stayed up till at least 11. She is active all day. I just don't get it! I have started going to bed when she is still up because its even too late for me.

Re: Still struggling with bedtime - 5 yrs old

Honestly, I would get rid of watching tv before bed and would take some stuff out of her room as well.. bedtime IS bedtime.. not time to play around.. I wouldn't want to go to sleep either with all that fun stuff in my room, kwim?

Re: Still struggling with bedtime - 5 yrs old

At our well visit last month, ped thought it was great that DS (4 yo) was getting 10 hours of sleep. He usually goes to sleep about 9-10 (10 by the time he falls asleep) and we wake him up at 8 for camp.

Re: Still struggling with bedtime - 5 yrs old

My 5yr old struggled with bedtime till quite recently-so I understand your pain. But, I agree with PP, remove TV before bedtime-TV is too stimulatory-especially kids cartoons. All those bright colors, jumping around is like a jolt of caffeine to the body. I know its going to be tough getting her used to it-maybe move it to when you are getting dinner ready. Another suggestion is to read her lots of books-I find DS nods off once we are past the 5book stage. Or set a time limit after which she isn't allowed to get down from her bed-with DS it works really well-he just wants me to come back and check in on him-I tell him I will be back in 5mins and most often he has nodded off by that time. Good Luck! It will get better soon.

Re: Still struggling with bedtime - 5 yrs old

Posted by bicosi

Honestly, I would get rid of watching tv before bed and would take some stuff out of her room as well.. bedtime IS bedtime.. not time to play around.. I wouldn't want to go to sleep either with all that fun stuff in my room, kwim?

Re: Still struggling with bedtime - 5 yrs old

I agree with ditching the TV before bedtime. Maybe try it for a week and see if it helps!

Just curious...did your daughter go to LI Cheer for the camp? If so, how did she like it?

Re: Still struggling with bedtime - 5 yrs old

Tam,

Oh no! I didnt know she was still doing this! That is way too late Even for me LOL.

I totally 100% agree with the TV. Whenever ex-DH lets Aly watch TV in her bedroom before bed she is up for hours in there! He finally saw that I was right and stopped it and now even HE g ets her to bed by 8:30 or so. (and you know how he used to be !)

We do the same as Barb...All of the big lights are off in the entire house half hour before bed. Only the small coffee table lamp is left on and a nightlight in her room to read books. That sort of sets the "mood" that its time to wind down and go to sleep.

I would definately take the TV out if she is going to give you a hard time about no TV time before bed anymore. Id also make sure most of the lights around the house are turned down or off a little while before. Is she having snacks or juice with sugar beforehand? Maybe thats rowling her up? Just trying to think of other possible things that could be keeping her up.

Try some changes now so hopefully this gets better before Sept!



PS tell her Aly is in bed at 8 every night so she should consider herself lucky with a 9 pm bedtime.

Re: Still struggling with bedtime - 5 yrs old

I agree with the TV and the lights. Low light signals the brain to release Melatonin, which makes you sleep. I'm no expert b/c my DD is also up late, and she does NOT have TV in her room, so I can't offer any suggestions other than the melatonin thing!

Re: Still struggling with bedtime - 5 yrs old

Thanks all! Television is coming out completely in a week. I warned her and that will give me like 2 weeks to get this on track before school. I have a negative attitude at this point about anything working but I need to try so I can say at least I did everything I could. because right now I feel a little guilty. I also spoke with my MIL's friend who is a speech therapist. She knows alot being in the field. She gave me some good pointers too. Some were a little odd but makes sense. she advised trying to swaddle her while reading (she hated that), start bedtime routine much earlier, like 5-6:00, the light thing, the tv thing. We shall see.

Re: Still struggling with bedtime - 5 yrs old