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HELP! My son keeps himself awake at night

Melissa - posted on 11/21/2008 ( 5 moms have responded )

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My son is 6 years old. He does not go to sleep at night. I catch him playing in his room. He is very sneaky about it. It wouldn't be so much of an issue except that he is crabby the next day after a late night stint. Plus, on the days he goes to school, it's a full day. I want him to be rested for school. He goes to bed at 8 and many nights he is still up until 9:30 or later. Should I move his bedtime later, remove all distractions from his room, just let him play as long as he's being quiet?

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5 Comments

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Felicia - posted on 11/23/2008

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I had the same problem with my 6 yr old boy it started when he was 5. I don't have the luxury of having a seperate room to keep toys in so i'm out of luck keeping the toys away from him. I started trying to go up every 10-15 min and remind him to lay down even if he doesn't sleep he'll tell me he's not tired but i continue to remind him that he needs to be in his bed it works most of the time and now i don't have to go up so much only for the first month or so. He still has trouble but it's not nearly as bad and now a gentle reminder is all he needs they say it takes 21 days to create a habit and that worked for me. I wouldn't give him any kind of suppliments though usually sleep issues are emotional and that would only harm him. If anything give him a mug of caffeine free tea or warm milk

Julie - posted on 11/23/2008

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i do the same things as jessica, and it is working. my son is 5 years old and i haven't had any problems since i took every thing that could be played with out of the bedroom. i do just want to mention on a side note tho, that you should never give your child any kind of new medications, natural or otherwise, without consulting your family doctor or pediatrian first.

Dena - posted on 11/23/2008

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have you tried melatonin (natural supplement) that you can purchase at walmart or any local drugstore.I give my son 1 tablet an hour before he goes to bed and he is usually asleep 15 to 20 minutes later. good luck

Jessica - posted on 11/23/2008

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We are firm believers that the bedroom is for sleeping. My son has no toys in his room. When he goes to bed he can not get out of bed unless it is to go to the bathroom and that is limited to 1 time. I tell my son that he does not have to sleep but he must lay in bed and be quiet. It usually only takes a few minutes of him being quiet before he is fast asleep.

Erin - posted on 11/21/2008

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I'm assuming he doesn't nap or anything since he is 6. I wouldn't change his bedtime...he needs to learn that bedtime is bedtime. I would take everything out of his room that he could get up and play with. He is old enough for consequences for his actions. He should have things taken away or privileges taken away for getting out of bed.

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