My daughter is 3 and does anything to stay away from bed time. Im struggling with methods that work for nite time. Any suggestions? Please!

Norlinda - posted on 03/05/2009

Hey Marretta,
Great to hear from u!
Need ur feedback on an issue with my daughter. She is 3 and at the moment trying to assert herself and sometimes she would scream her lungs out when she can't get anything. It was so bad recently as she screamed and screamed for almost ten mins and only stopped when one of my neighbours on the opposite block looked at her , maybe thinking that we were ill treating her.

I'm not sure if I did the correct thing but I basically put her at her little 'naughty' corner and just ignored her.

Is this a common thing amongs 2-3 year olds?

cheers!

Marretta - posted on 02/16/2009

Consistency is definitely key! A great way to do it is keep reminding her how much longer to bed time. Warm bath, brushing teeth, book while cuddling then low, soft soothing music! Works for most people that I have dealt with! Also, if I ever have a child here that keeps getting up, I put them back to bed without talking to them! They stop trying to get up for attention then! Oh, just in case you are wondering I am a SAHM and run a daycare out of my home! I have a Child Development Associate! If you have any more questions, please just let me know and I will do what I can to help you!

Norlinda - posted on 02/16/2009

Hi Kayelynn,

my daughter turned 3 in Jan. we had problems putting her to bed too. but like what Jennie said, consistency will help you address the issue. my hubby will show her the clock and tell her that 9pm is milk time and 9.30pm is sleep time. she cried and cried initially but after about a few weeks, she is in bed by 9.30pm ....whether she sleeps or not is another issue...LOL.

Candice - posted on 02/15/2009

About an hour before bedtime the t.v. is turned off and I have my 4 year old start cleaning up her toys and then we begin the bedtime ritual. It begins with a warm bath, then warm milk. During milk time I have her pick out a story and I read it to her while she is in bed. Then I let her listen music from her favorite cartoons and pat her lightly on the back. She is asleep within 10 minutes. In the beginning it was a little tough but now she loves sleep time. What I love the most about this ritual is that we have one on one time together and share good night love yous and kisses. Good luck.

Carla - posted on 02/15/2009

May I suggest reading. Crawl in under nice layer of thick blankets...read slowly...add interesting voices and then lull your voice....off...to a monitone...quiet whisper...and touchdown!

Worked for years with my daughter that is 20 yrs.old next month and I still read stories to her when she is sick!

Carla - posted on 02/15/2009

Quoting Kayelynn:

My daughter is 3 and does anything to stay away from bed time. Im struggling with methods that work for nite time. Any suggestions? Please!

Lisa - posted on 02/15/2009

I use to lay with my children with one of there favorite books to read to them. The loved it! I did too and it was a great way to bond.

Jessica - posted on 02/15/2009

I use a timer.  I set it for each step of the bedtime routine.  My 3 year old loves it.  If I forget the timer and tell him to do a step for getting ready, he tells me "The timer didn't say".  He typically is in bed and asleep within minutes.

Lisa - posted on 02/15/2009

make sure you schedule it in thru the day. we go to bed at.....(we go at 9 mine are bigger now lol) bath, a book and be aware of the time and give countdowns. "oh look it's 6 o'clock and hour before bedtime... that worked and still works for us. good luck

Kristina - posted on 02/15/2009

keep a routine, that helps and stick to it.

Kari - posted on 02/15/2009

Children of this age are not very responsive when it comes to anytime of transition.  I have found that one key element is to give countdown reminders to help them prepare for what is coming rather than springing it on them.  After all, we as adults don't even like "surprises"; we like to know what is going on and when.  My advice, start at least 20 min. ahead and just remind her every 5 min. after that, "15 more minutes until bedtime." 

Shanan - posted on 02/15/2009

I have done this with both of mine and it even worked when we moved our 2 year old into her big girl bed without any problems-routine goes like this..bath time, night night clothes, medicine/gummy vitamins, teeth brushing ( I used the mirror trick for my two year old-give them a large cosmetic mirror so that they can see only themselves brushing and they will really focus on what they are doing and try to do a good job) Then it is both into bed-lights off and I put on Baby Einstein VERY LOW on repeat play. She always asks for me to come lay with her but I always say that I have to get their uniforms ready for the morning and I'll be back in a second-she falls asleep everytime.I add a book reading for each of them seperately when time alows but only with the light off and a table light for reading on.

Meckinzie - posted on 02/15/2009

Routine routine routine...and don't make a big deal out of it if she gets up.  Maybe the 1st time remind her  but after that only put her back to bed without speaking that way there's no chance of her doing it for all of the attention you give her trying to get her back to bed.

Angela - posted on 02/15/2009

Quoting Bobbi:

mine also she never sleepn in her bed even in her crib she would cry bloody murder i can make her fall asleep in a blink in min in out bed.  but takes yelling screamin and finallly me laying there or her fallin a alseep in our bed this happends for naps i gave up if you get help let me know even with naps bobbicech@hotmail.com email me

Have you tried laying down with her in her bed? Do this for a few nights till she falls asleep, then start sitting next to her bed for a few nights. Continue to sit further away, while looking away from her, for a night or two untill you no longer have to be in there. Children like sleeping with parents for security.  Good luck!

Bobbi - posted on 02/15/2009

being consenct dont help we bath story and lay down think of happy dreams kisses hugs she hates to be alone i gave her stuff things blankets lights etc she hates to be alone

Jeny McKinsey- - posted on 02/15/2009

Try to get her to settle down atleast 30 minutes before bed. Have her snuggle with you while you ready a story, tell secrets or sing goofy songs. Just because something doesn't work the first night doesn't mean that it wont ever. You need to keep up with it and try not to change everynight. Just be consistent!!! Good luck.

Bobbi - posted on 02/15/2009

mine also she never sleepn in her bed even in her crib she would cry bloody murder i can make her fall asleep in a blink in min in out bed.  but takes yelling screamin and finallly me laying there or her fallin a alseep in our bed this happends for naps i gave up if you get help let me know even with naps bobbicech@hotmail.com email me

Angela - posted on 02/15/2009

Consistency is key!!! Make sure your daughter isn't playing or watching tv at least 30 min before bed time. Then when it's time to go to bed, have a routine. Bath, story or songs, snuggle then off to bed at the same time each night.

Jennie - posted on 02/15/2009

Just be consistent. Put her to bed at the same time everynight and devote the time to get up and put her back when she tries to get up. Make a special routine for the both of you. Read a book then say goodnight. Ihave 4 kids and have had to do this with all 4 of them. After about a week of being consistent, she"ll be fine.