Bedtime for 3 year old twins

Kim - posted on 09/07/2009

I had the issue with my twins. Believe it or not just be consistant and they will go without a fight. It just takes time. I know it sucks. Stop the Tv and music. Read a book and then turn out the light. Sit in the room on the floor with out a word. In about two weeks or so they we go to bed without the drama.

Kimberly - posted on 09/06/2009

Hi Ihave twin boys who had the same prblem when they were that age. I don't want to say anything is wrong with your girls because there probably isn't. So no jumping to any conculsions here or making any asumtions. Ok then my Twins had a serious problem called sleep apnea.Unfotunately their adnoids and tonsil were a little to large and sleeping was very uncomfotable for them . So my twins just refused to sleep .There was no taking any naps,no going to sleep at night and no sleeping through the night. The boys pediatrian did not catch ithis for the firt 3 yrs. no matter how much we complained about the boy lack of sleeping .Our parent skills were always brought into question or our scheduling skills. Finally we had to go to a sleep specialist and have sleep studies done. Then the boys adnoids and tonsils were removed and sleep came to our home. What a blessing that was! The boys are on a good schedule as they always have been. However, I want to say up front by no mean am I saying this is your problem. I am only letting you know that it may not be you or your pareting ,scheduleing,or anything you are doig that is the problem. Talk to you Physician and keep a sleep diary for your girls it will help you weed out any problems and he can give you the do and don't on before bed time scheduling. Most of all don' t feel guilty or like a bad parent when people give you advice and you don't take it, even mine! Especially when your tired ! Do what ever your gut tells you! Moms always know best!

Caryn Ann - posted on 09/04/2009

My two, a boy and a girl eighteen months apart went to bed together, too. That can make it challenging, but the best bet is to set up a bedtime routine at the same time each night. A warm bath, brushing teeth, going potty and having a drink of water, then into the sheets. Lower the lights and use this time for a real bonding time. Read stories, sing lullabies, talk low and soothing about their day. This should settle them down enough to let them lay still and rest their eyes, which soon leads to sleep. Don't be in a hurry to get back to the tv or whatever else needs done at the end of your day. This is important time. My kids remember this time fondly (they now are starting families of their own). Oh, and absolutely do NOT turn the tv on in their room. Tv should be a small part of their day at this age, not a crutch for mom when she's out of patience.

Tania - posted on 09/04/2009

You need to establish some sort of bedtime routine. After dinner, try bathing the girls (separately so they are not playing and getting hyped up). Add some drops of lavender oil if you wish. Very relaxing. While one is in the bath, the other could be doing a quiet activity with your husband/partner if possible. Then while the first one is getting dressed, the second one goes in the bath. When the first one is dressed she does the quiet activity. Once they are both dressed, brush teeth, toilet and into bed for a story. Are they in the same room? If so, settle them in to bed, a soft lit lamp on and read to them for 10 - 15 minutes - every night. This helps them to relax and is a wonderful early literacy gift. Tell the girls that you are going to read 1, 2 or 3 book (how ever many you get through in that time) and when you are finished, that's it. Lights out - good night. Time - approximately 7.30 pm. If they are in separate rooms and if you have a husband/partner, get him involved with reading to your girls. Children need to share reading and bedtime with both parents. My son was a shocking sleeper and a pain to get in to bed but this worked a treat.

Michele - posted on 09/04/2009

I have always found the "warning" rule to be helpful. My children are now old enough to get themselves in bed and up in the morning, but when they were younger, I always tried to give them a "30 min to bedtime" and then count it down to 5 min. Then I got them to bed in time that we could read an extra book, or they could play with some stuffed animals for a few minutes before actual bedtime, which at 3, they don't know they are going early. I also did that when we were leaving places(i.e. library, a friends house) because I didn't want a tantrum, and I thought it was only fair...I knew when we were leaving, and so I was prepared, but boy, if my husband would just say "we are leaving now", or "go to bed"...I would sure be upset. I agree on no t.v. before bed, but a routine is good. My children were never nappers either:(

Sharon - posted on 09/04/2009

Hi Debi, I am a mum of 4 year old twin boys and have been very strict about their sleep routine since they were born. My husband is an interstate trucker and is away most of the time, so I knew if I didn't get tough they would run circles around me. I've never really had too many problems with their sleep but did go through a short period around the age of 3 where they were more challenging to get to sleep. I found if they lay still long enough, they would drop off to sleep. For awhile I would sit in their room at night until they fell asleep. Of course it would be dark and there would be no talking unless it was me growling at them to "lie quietly and go to sleep". The longest I had to stay was about 30 minutes. Make sure they get plenty of exercise in the fresh air during the day if you can as this helps tire them. I tend to agree with Kim's firm consistency theory and no sugar (desserts) before bed. Just stay strong and stick to your guns. You'll win in the end. Hope this is of some help to you. Feel free to contact me if you like. Cheers and good luck!! :)

Kim - posted on 09/03/2009

by the way- stop with the tv! seriously, no tv at all!!! make them use their imaginations, it tires a person out, tv wont... also we do walks after dinner- nothing like fresh air to help a person sleep, plus it helps you get the fustration out... and no desert either- sugar that close to bed time makes my kids CRAZY!!! plus do they really need it??

Kim - posted on 09/03/2009

if they are up by 7am, then its 7pm! my 5 yr old is still on this schedule and if we let her go to 7:30-8:30 she is a nighmare.. sit them down and tell them this is how it is, and stick to it!! watch a few supernanny episodes to get the idea(the book is great too) they will"pop" out and come to see you, this is normal, but back to bed..



i know easy for my to type here, and i do have more information, but so hard to get across here in this format of a blog... the best advise is frim consistancy...

Anne - posted on 09/02/2009

I have 8 year old twins and still have a problem with bed time. One crashes and the other will stay up all night if I didn't force them to lay down and watch a movie. At 3 years it was harder. They stopped naps at 3years too. Bedtime seemed harder when they were tired. We pretty much made them lay down in there rooms with a movie and water sippy cup. That's about all I can tell you. It does get easier.

Lisa - posted on 09/01/2009

i let my 3 yr old play until 7:30 then bathtime, in bed by 8-8:30. read a story no tv before bed it makes kids to crazy. hope this might help some