i put my two kids in bed at 6.30 and they are awake i read them stories that dont work any suggestio

Jennifer - posted on 09/14/2011

wait till closer to 8 to put them to bed.

Yurena - posted on 09/14/2011

Definitely not dvds or gadgets in their room at bedtime, it is contraproducent. x

Amanda - posted on 09/13/2011

I put my kids 5 and 10 to bed at 7pm every night and have done for many years, my 10 year old will go and read for half an hour before lights out, my 5 year old he has a story read to him he has water by the side of his bed and he likes a beaker of milk while you read his story. then it is kiss good night, light out and door closed, if he gets up he is taken straight back to bed. He may still be in his room awake until 8 pm some nights but he is in bed and resting.
I would take things like dvd'sand tapes out of the room as this is a stimulant not a relaxant. Lavender oil os very good to relax your child just a few drops on his/her pillow or burner (out of reach) with lavender oil in.

Rebekah - posted on 09/11/2011

I agree with many here that 6:30 seems too early, especially since they don't really wind down until 8:00. With things like bedtime you have to follow your children's cues. Are they calming down and getting quiet at around the same time each night? If so then that is their internal clock and forcing change on that will only continue to give you headaches. 8:00 is a good bedtime. My son is 3 and is in bed by 8:30 (usually) and he wakes up by 7:30 nearly everyday. Unless you have an early wake up time, then 8:00 should give them plenty of time to sleep. I would give it a shot for a few days, see how it works for everyone. At least then you won't be exhausting yourself and getting frustrated that they won't settle down. Good luck!

Elizabeth - posted on 09/10/2011

Put them to bed at 8pm..don't you think 630 is a little riduculous..i mean especially if they nap during the day

Rachael - posted on 09/10/2011

you are probably putting them to bed too early.,move their bedtime back an hour and see if it helps

Yurena - posted on 09/10/2011

It seems too early, even if they did fall asleep and woke up at 6.30am it is a 12h sleep, which is lucky for most. I would say keep them active and move bed time to later, in a very organise routine, their bodies will get used to it quickly. Say supper at 6.45, bath at 7, then get dressed and story and bed by 7.30. If they are old enough to read you can allow them to read in bed for a bit. x

Sarah - posted on 09/10/2011

well i think 6:30 is allitle early maybe if they go to school 8:00 if they dont then 8:30 :)

Ashley - posted on 04/27/2010

Wow why do you put them to bed at 630? i do sometimes when they are tired and they sleep all night but if they dont want to go to bed let them stay up til 8...

Holly - posted on 04/20/2010

Put em to bed at 8!

Heather - posted on 04/20/2010

I do think each child is different. My son is 3, and he still takes about an hour nap a day (at daycare, but not on the weekends). He is up at 7 (on his own), and we try to put him to bed around 8:30. He goes right to sleep, as long as he hasn't napped any longer than one hour.

Quintana - posted on 04/20/2010

Maybe you're putting them to bed to early. Especially if it's still daylight outside, they will stay awake. Are they napping too late during the day?

Dee - posted on 04/20/2010

before bed in the day, explain that they have a bedtime so they can get up fresh for school, playtime (if its appropriate as in the weekend or holidays) etc. then stick to it even thru tantrums, tears, anger! go thru the bedtime routine then when its time to go to sleep give kisses and tuck them in then leave the room do not engage in lengthy conversation or bartering. when they get out of bed the first time put them back and very briefly tell them they have to stay in bed and goodnight. after that each time they get out of bed put them back, do not make eye conact or talk to them about anything, this is to show that u mean business and to make it boring so as they are tired they will eventually just see bedtime for what it is.. bath (if they have 1, sometimes felipe has a bath first thing rather than at night) bed with a book then sleep! keep up and persevere as u know children will keep pushing it might take a while, just be firm and persistent ok. hope this helps.

Sharon - posted on 04/19/2010

Every person is different but maybe it is just too early for them. My children go to bed at 8.30am and wake up at 7.00am or 7.30am. If I try to put them to bed earlier than that then they are up before 6.00am! Some kids do sleep longer though. Maybe if they go to bed a little later then that will help. Goodluck.

Emelee - posted on 04/19/2010

My mother tries to put my son to bed at 8 but the fact that he gets a nap from 12:30-2:30 at daycare he is still wired when I get home from work at 10 plus she gives him fruit and juice as a late snack, tons of sugar. I put him to bed at 9:30 after we play for at least an hour with oatmeal and water as his snack and he passes out in 20 min. also i cut out the videos and switched to light classical (Baby Classical Mozart from walmart) it gives them less visual stimulation and it is a soothing sound.

Angela - posted on 04/19/2010

i think u r putting them to bed to earily 8:00 pm is better. i'm cooking dinner at 6:00 pm and i give my daughter a project while i'm cooking.and she is very active so she goes to be at 9:00 pm and sometime she tells me when she wants go to bed now. she only 1yr 1/2

Alyssa - posted on 04/19/2010

dont put them to bed so early. they know when they need sleep. they will start settling down when they are ready. unless there is some reason they HAVE to be in bed by 630...my 21month old goes to bed between 7and8 cuz thats when he gets tired. he gets up around 730 or 8, takes a nap between noon and 1, then goes to sleep between 7and8. they are kids, they dont have a choice to fight what their bodies are telling them if they arent tired, they wont wanna go to sleep. the other night i put mine to bed around the normal time cuz im so used to it but he just stayed up saying "HEEEEY!" in his crib til i got him out an hour later and he didnt go to sleep til 1045! he just wasnt tired.
anyway, they will usually get tired around the same time every night if you notice. so just change their schedule up a little bit.

Wilna - posted on 04/19/2010

Hi Rachael!
I've read through some of the comments, wow! A lot of replies! Most of them seems to reprimand you for putting the kids to bed early, too! All I can say, is that my 3.5 and 22mth old goes to bed between 6 and 6:30. I've tried to put them down later, (as I too have been told numerous times that it's a shame I put them to bed so early and making me feel I don't have good mothering instincts...) stretched it till about 7:30, but then they (especially the youngest) don't settle until after 9, some evenings 9:30. That drove me totally crazy, as my husband and I enjoy the little bit of time we have for 'us' when the kids are in bed. And after a whole day of them in my hair, I am also ready for 'me' time!! But also, the later I put them to bed, the earlier they started to get up. Some mornings, my oldest would be up from 4:30 after he had only fell asleep after 9pm. And he's at the age where he doesn't want a nap. So now he doesn't take a nap, goes to bed around 6:30 and wakes up between 6:30 and 7. He settles within 10min on the days he had preschool, and within 20min on the other days he hadn't gone. The younger one I'm having more trouble with... He has one nap around 11am for 1.5hrs. Is tired and grumpy from about 4pm then, but now for a while he doesn't want to settle either when I put him down. They play outside a lot (now that the snow has melted) and they don't watch TV from around 4pm to get them to start to calm down after a busy day. Also no rough housing and running around from the hour before bedtime. The youngest has also started to wake up around midnight and is then wide awake for 3-4 hrs. So from today I'll be taking away his nap and see if we can get him to sleep through again.
What I actually wanted to tell you, is that you have to do what you believe is best for you kids. Always ask advice, because no knowledge is ever wasted. But then you decide for yourself what you want to do. You are a great mom. Keep following your gut.

Crystal - posted on 04/18/2010

Wow that is really early. I started all my kids on a schedule of going to bed at 8:00 on the weekends and like a hour or two later. I started this when they could sleep on their own. And it has stayed with all my kids.

Cathy J - posted on 04/18/2010

first of all it is still daylight ot at 630. Why so early??? Do u have them in a night time routine? My 1 yr old goes down between 8 & 830 and my 3 year old goes down between 830 & 9. Unless u must get up real early put them to bed latter, then u won't have all that trouble with them. U can't force them to go to sleep if they are not tired yet!!

Stacy - posted on 04/18/2010

I agree with everyone else. 6:30 is pretty early. Try a 7:30 wind-down time, then to sleep at 8 or 8:30.

Helen - posted on 04/18/2010

There should be no tv or DVD watching in a bedroom - especially for little ones. Take it out! It is keeping their brains active. The bedroom should be for sleeping.

Susan - posted on 04/18/2010

We start the bedtime ritual - teeth brushing, toilet & story books just after 7pm. This tends to settle them in. Then it's lights out in our house is 8pm... no ifs or buts!

I had to cut out my 2 1/2 year old's daytime nap as he was doing exactly what your 2 are... would fuss around until 9 sometimes 10pm! Unfortunately I can't stop him having it at Day Care. It drives me mad as after the kids go to bed I get my only downtime for the day.

So I would suggest looking at your daily routine and seeing if you can drop a nap, wear them out more (trampolines are great for that!) or push their bed time back a bit.

Megan - posted on 04/18/2010

I agree w/ everyone else, 6:30 just seems way too early, your kids are telling you something, they even know that it is too early!!! Good Luck w/ that one!!

April - posted on 04/18/2010

I put my 2 year old to bed at about 8:30 every night and she sleeps really well no fighting or anything she will normally wake up about 7:30 or 8:00 in the morning. I try to keep things calm about an hour before bed try doing quiet activity's with them we do a bath about every other night and when she isn't getting a bath we do quiet play such as puzzles or building block something to kind of wind them down from the long day. My daughter also goes down for her nap after lunch about 12:30 or 1 o'clock depending on if we have lunch on time and will sleep about an hour and a half to 2 hours. I think if you can wind them down that it may help them to go to sleep better that and maybe try putting them to bed at a later time

Debbie - posted on 04/18/2010

What works for my daughter is to set a timer-she has only 10 minutes(5 for nap) to listen to songs, stories, etc...then it is bedtime. She used to get upset, but after a few days she was fine with it. Now mommy gets to have time to herself! BTW, 6:30 seems very early, unless you are getting your kids up at 5 am. You may want to change bedtime, and also cut out the tv before bed. Studies have shown that it can make it harder to go to sleep if you watch tv or play on the computer directly before you lay down...hope this helps.

Delora - posted on 04/18/2010

I think they just aren't tired Rachael. My 2 yr old goes to bed at 8:30 - 9pm and my 5 month old normal goes down for the night at 8-8:30. Unless you have a good reason for a 6:30 bedtime I would change it closer to 8. Start winding down at 7:30 (baths, video, books or whatever) so they are in bed around 8. My children have to wake up at 5:30am to get going for my drive to work and drop them off at daycare and our bedtime doesn't make it bad in the morning. If you are putting them to bed when they are tired, then they will stay awake until 8 when they are ready for bed.

Billie - posted on 04/18/2010

For my 2 kids, 6:30 is way way too early! my kids usually go to bed anywhere between 9:30 and 10:30. They sleep all night till about 9 or 10

Ayse - posted on 04/18/2010

Do your kids have naps during the day? if so make sure it's early in the day. Also if you try and make sure that an hour before bed you calm things down, give them a bath turn the tv off just so they are calm ready for bed. perhaps you can take them to the library to pick their own books, for you to read for bed time. They will ask for anything to stay up, you just have to stay positive and don't give in.

Gwendolyn - posted on 04/17/2010

I'm obviously not sure how old they are but they seem young so it shouldn't matter too much. I think if you want them in bed at 6:30 that's what you should do, you just may have you change things around a little. Try some activities about an hour or so before bed to wear them out some, a warm bath usually seems to help too. I put my son to bed a little later but we use dvds too, and he goes to sleep just fine, he is actually restless without something to focus his attention on and make him be still to go to sleep. You may considering moving nap time up (if they have one) or cutting it short by a few minutes. If that is the routine you want them on, stick to it, it just may need a few tweaks. Good luck.

Shannon - posted on 04/17/2010

6:30 seriously? Do you live on a farm and wake up at 4 am? Good Luck with that.

Crystin - posted on 04/17/2010

6:30 is kinda early, but i guess that also depends on what time they get up in the morning/nap/etc. My daughter does the same thing. Before bed i give her a sip of water and go through a bedtime routine. The first time she comes out I talk to her before putting her back in bed. after that I say nothing, just take her hand and lead her back to her bed. The game is no longer fun because she can't win. Turn off the TV and DVD's as well. That is giving them reasons to stay awake. They can focus their attention on that as opposed to falling asleep. Good Luck!

Shelby - posted on 04/17/2010

start putting them down about 10 and then they should sleep throught the night.

Kristeen - posted on 04/17/2010

#1 you put them to bed waytoo early they are not tired
#2 don't let them nap during the day and they will be tired at bedtime

Nathalie - posted on 04/17/2010

First, I would say how old are your kids? 2 and 3 yo need about 10 to 12 hours of sleep a day and that includes nap. 4 and 5 yo need about 9 to 11 hours of sleep and so on. 6:30 sounds way early unless they have to get up WAY early in the morning.

Jaclyn - posted on 04/17/2010

I think maybe you should make their bedtime 8pm. You might be putting them asleep to early. Or their nap time is to late. But depending on their ages they might need to run around and have more play time before bed time. Wear them out, shower them, and stories. This works for my super hyper 4yr old.

Janay - posted on 04/17/2010

6.30 is really early if they dont go to sleep until 8 let them stay up till 8 and play they will be more tired and sleep better

Sarah - posted on 04/17/2010

6:30 is an early bedtime, if they start to settle down around 8:00 make their bed time at 8:00. My sons are 3 and 10 and yes my 10yr old goes to bed at 8:00 also since we get up at 6:00 am everyday and if he goes to bed much later he is awful to try and wake up for school. And you also put how you let them watch DVDs and videos until they go to sleep, just let them stay up later and around 7:30 start doing the bed time routine like brushing teeth, showers, putting on PJ's and then bed time with 1 or 2 stories, this makes for a much less stressful bedtime for everyone involved.

Amy - posted on 04/17/2010

make them tired run with them take them to the park play with them then do the bath and story and they will go right down...our girls went right down after walkin the mall toysrus and park last night and went down about 9 and they have just started wakin up at 9.28 so just wear them out and they will sleep it doesn't cost anything to go to the store and walk around or walk the neiborhood or the park. good luck Amy mother of a 25 month old and a 10 month old

Jael - posted on 04/17/2010

Stop putting the to bed so early.

Debbie - posted on 04/17/2010

I wish I had a chance to read all of the replies that you have had, but can't, so if I am repeating someone elses advice sorry.

I see that most people are recommending you change the time that you put them to bed. If you are not wanting to do that - then I would suggest what I have used for my 2 1/2 year old daughter.
First thing I wouldn't let them watch DVDs etc in bed. Preferably no lights or anything.
Second, is to have the same routine each night, so they know what is going to happen, and eventually they will know whats coming and accept it.
Third is to set down some rules. Eg get a bottle that wont leak and put it beside their bed, as that way that can't be up asking for a drink and I say to my daughter, you can talk, sing etc once the light is out, as long as you stay in bed.
The plunket nurses hear say "what they do in their bed is their business as long as they are in it. My daughter can take an hour or more to go to sleep, but she is happy and safe, and eventually drops off. I think it is a great way for them to learn to self soothe.
If they get up, put them straight back to bed. If they call out to you, just go either fix the problem (eg wet bed) or say no, and then ignore them.

I hope that this helps, and good luck.
Do what you feel is best, because they are your kids and you are the one that has to deal with them day to day.

Amber - posted on 04/16/2010

You know, I am not so sure it's THAT early to be putting kids to bed. I understand that it may seem early to other mom's, I guess, but I put my one year old baby down at seven, and he sleeps til seven the next morning. My two year old also goes to bed at the same time. That gives me an extra hour with the older kids who are 8 and 7, to get homework done. Everyone talks about bedtime routines, and I think that is important, but the very most important thing is, once they are put to bed, there they absolutely must stay. Put your foot down, put them back to bed a hundred times if necessary, but don't give them attention, and don't give them drinks or anything. If part of bedtime is getting drinks and going potty, there is no reason for them to get up. I know it's so difficult. If you feel they are ready for bed at six thirty, that is totally up to you. :) I do sort of wonder though, if summer won't make that more difficult. I remember my mom telling me bedtime for us was when the sun went down. ;)



I hope things get easier.



Amber

Jenna - posted on 04/16/2010

WAAAAYYYYY too early to be putting them to bed. I am all about having a reasonable bed time for little ones, and some down time for you before bed as well, but that is just too early. You will all be happier if you move the bed time later. They will actually be tired and they will fall asleep quicker. Hopefully a later bed time will make everyone happier. It is nice to have that extra hour and a half to enjoy the day together.....because it is still DAY time when you're trying to put them down. Best of luck

Krystal - posted on 04/16/2010

i had the same problem with my two year old granted i wasnt trying to put him to bed a 630 but what i did was i had a bedtime routine something like bath story bed and i did that every night at the same time and eventually he got it and now i dont have any problems putting him to bed. but if i might make a suggestion and make the bed time a little later like maybe start the bed time routine at 7 and they are asleep by 730

Jascinta - posted on 04/16/2010

in different parts of the world the sun sets a t a different time.... just thought i'd pooint that out to everyone. 6:30 may not be too early, if you keep in mind that youngsters usually like about 12 hrs sleep at night.... maybe have a look at what the wake up time is and when they get up from naps if they have any.my 15 mth old gets put in bed at 6:05pm and is asleep by 7pm every night, then wakes at 7am in the morning. good luck. i know we all need a bit of time to ourselves to regroup lol.

Dani - posted on 04/16/2010

I think 630 is wayy to early to put them to bed, my kids are 3 and 7, my 3 year old goes to bed at 730pm and 7 year old and 8pm, i think those are good times.

Divya - posted on 04/15/2010

6:30 is too early....let them play a bit more, which will tire them further only to snooze till about 8:0 - 8:30 next morning. Put the kids to bed by 8 and let them settle to sleep till about 8:30 - 9:0. Make sure that they take a nap or two in the noon. Also try to make a routine.....like change of diapers if any....., the last feed/dring for the day.....dim the lights of the room.....there should be enough silence, there is very little opportunity with story tapes/dvds etc...these are too noisy....you can tell stories like if they sleep on time a fairy would keep a chocolate or candy under their pillow...and you keep it for them to find it in the mornings....till such times that a routine or a sleeping pattern is formed.....basically fix a bedtime routine...!! Tc!!

Crystal - posted on 04/15/2010

my home is kind of hectic because i work late and my daughter wants to see me... im starting to consider an earlier bed time for her but i feel guilty about not being home and hugs and kisses before bed. Before my work schedule changed though bedtime was about 8:30 or 9 from baby until i started working nights. we also dont need to get up early for anything yet but that will change this year when she starts school. also monitor tv time.. i have heard that tv before bed only stimulates them and the mind cant settle down to rest.

Cynthia - posted on 04/15/2010

630 seems way early. i have a 14month old and i put him to bed between 830pm-9pm. He usually doens't get up for a bottle/diaper change until midnight then wakes at 630am. maybe if you try to put them down a little later; they'd sleep longer-

Teresa - posted on 04/15/2010

As toddlers my girls had an 8pm bedtime and they would sleep til close to 8am. When they started preschool they needed to go to bed 7-7:30 and when they started K (at 4.5) their bedtime moved up to 6:30 where it stayed til they were 6. They needed it that way as they needed 12ish hours of sleep per night. They always fell asleep w/in a half an hour though. It was when it started taking 1-2 hours for them to settle down that I changed their bedtime to the current 7:30 (flexible since they're 8 now).



I don't think there is anything wrong w/ a 6:30 bedtime IF it works for your family. The thing to determine is if they are stalling because they don't want to go to bed or are they just not tired at that time.... Are they napping too late/long? What time do they need to get up? Those are the things you need to figure out in order to best solve this situation. Good luck! :)