My kids are unbelievable when it comes to bed and good suggestions on how to get a 3yr od and a 2yr old to go to bed at a reasonable time?

Jacqui - posted on 02/24/2009

I hve a daughter of 7 1/2 and a son of 3 and they are in bed at 7pm and asleep by 7.30pm. From the time they were 1 I have always stuck to the same routine: no matter what time tea was at 6.55pm they are in the bathroom doing their teeth and having washes before bed (we do baths in the morning as it is easier to dry long hair then). They then get into bed. My daughter reads a book of her choice while I read to my son and then I read a book to her. They are both left with their lights off (the landing light is left on and their doors open) and a story CD on. They then fall asleep to the story on the CD. I stick to this routine all the time - even on holiday. I do relax it a bit for my daughter in the school holidays but she is in bed and asleep by 8.30pm then. Hope this helps.

Andrea - posted on 02/23/2009

1. Pick a time and stick to it we use 7pm.

2. Make them aware " Your going bed after we read this book".

3. Routine routine routine ( bath/dinner/book/bed ). Every night

4. And when they hope out go super nanny slye put them back staight away cuddle tell them its bed time

5. And when they hope out again ( and it will happen ) same thing

6. And when they hope out again ( and it will for the third time) say nothin just put them back.

7. And when they hope out again ( and the little buggers will many more times ) same thing.



Thats it persaverance is the key be consistant no lies there going to cry screem run and it won't happen over night but just try it for a few weeks it dose work. My kids got to the point they went to sleep when they wanted because it was easy but it got later and later and really cranky kids the next day. oh yer my son was three when we started it with him we found him not sleeping in the middle of the day he did not need so we cut it out so he acutly was tied before he went to bed NOW my kids are the best 7pm every night my kids are in bed they may not go to sleep staight away but they have to lay there they don't get out... I hope this helps Andrea

Cherie - posted on 02/23/2009

Give them choices before they go to bed.  Do you want your light on or off.  Do you want water or no water.  Do you want a kiss on the right cheek or the left cheek.  Do you want one story or two.  I started doing this with my daughter and we rarely have a hard time putting her to bed.

Liz - posted on 02/23/2009

routine routine routine. my 20 month old was in a great routine - bath, snuggle time, 3 books then bed. this routine was accidentally deviated from for 3 nights and it took us almost two weeks to get back on track. Those two weeks were miserable - he would yell for up to an hour and a half. tonight he gave a half hearted effort for about 3 mins before falling asleep. never again shall i stray.

Penny - posted on 02/23/2009

I have a 30 min wind down time so the tv games and such go off and we read books (I read to my 4 yo and 3 yo) not an over exciting book but I notice if I read a book about sleeping they will drift off as I'm reading. my 8 yo tries to help too

Anni - posted on 02/23/2009

We start early and make sure they know the nightly routine. We also have a fun stuffed animal or blanket that awaits them in their room. They are more excited once they get to bed to see their "special pal". Hope it helps.

Sabina - posted on 02/23/2009

Hi Sherri,

my son used to stay up until 10, sometimes 11PM. Then he stopped taking naps and now is in bed by 8 and asleep by 8:30PM at the latest. He has been skipping nap since September and he just turned 3 last month. It may be time for your kids to give up their naps. It is not ideal as you don't get  a break during the day but I would rather have him in bed at 8 than napping for an hour mid day and staying up till 11PM. Good luck! :-) 

Alexii - posted on 02/23/2009

routine and consistancy also i bought a really awesome e-book by dr. heather pizzo called the baby sleep coach and it's helped a few of us in my circle here is the link



http://www.thebabysleepcoach.com/magic_i...



i hope this helps i know how challenging this problem can be :)