Hi all,
Two of my three littles have become absolute nightmares to get to bed each night (4 & 5yo girls).
They will come back out multiple times, and it ends in ridiculous screaming and meltdowns when I take them back.
It can drag out for up to two hours and drives me absolutely mental.
There dad and I separated not that long ago, however in all other aspects the children seem to be taking the change very well.
I just don't know what else I can do to make bed times less of a nightmare.
Its getting to the point where I'm in tears most nights because I feel so horrible because I end up yelling at them, but after it dragging out for so long I have nothing left.
I don't have the ability to lay with them for lengths of time because I'm working and studying full time so there already isn't enough hours in the day!
Any tips or methods greatly appreciated.
Bed time troubles
Bed time troubles
Posted in:
Parenthood Guilt, Behaviour, Kids, FAQ
3 Replies
Do you still do a whole bedtime routine? That helps my little ones. But if they get out of bed and come to me, I don’t reply much to what they are saying and I tell them to take themselves off to bed. I won’t keep going in and ticking them in. So I just say “goodnight. Back to bed” and they’ll usually go back. Might come out a few more times but I’m not up and down putting them back. If they can get out of bed, they can take themselves back to bed.
I also use my stern voice BEFORE I actually get angry because then I feel like I can handle it better and tell them that I’m going to get mad if they come out again.
Put them to bed, tuck them in, say goodnight, lie with them for 10 mi n utes, make sure they have a night light, and then leave and close the door and hold it closed. Don't say anything at all. Don't speak. Just wait until they're asleep.
Don't do this to kids that are scared of their bed or their room etc.
The way I see it is that if they're going to scream and carry on into the night anyway, you may as well get it done early and get on with your night. It's better for all of you. And they will only cry for a few nights and then will probably ask for you to leave the door open if they stay still and quiet in bed.
Let them lay next to you for a little while in your bed, one on each side. Give them big cuddles and don’t stress. Tell them if they go to in their own beds that they can have time with mum for half an hour every night to read a book in mums bed then they go into their bed. Make sure all the lights are off and if that doesn’t work. Buy a little treat and and tell them who ever goes to sleep in their bed first gets to pick a treat at the end of the week but first up you need to buy a treat to show them. It doesn’t need to be expensive, just something you know they would really want. I done this with my kids and it worked. In saying this my kids don’t get things all the time so they really look forward to anything, it could be something simple like a notepad and pen or a book. Even tell them maybe they can have a sleep over with mum on the weekend if they sleep in their beds. You just don’t know what goes through their little heads after a separation.