3 Year Old Won't Stay in Bed

[decker12]

Haha, I received the notification that I had a new reply to my thread and read that in the email and immediately thought, "My kid getting out of bed ain't nothing compared to whatever problems that guy has with his kids.."

[bssage]

I believe it was a mom. Crazy mom.

[16th ave.]

i tend to agree with what was already given. and lots of consistency and patience with treating the problem like its time out--ya know putting a kiddo back where they have to be and not responding but using it for bedtime and following up with hugs and kisses and a stern-ish talking too the next morning about it all.
but gotta ask since you've never forced the issue and you're loosing sleep what's keeping you from forcing it now? by doing that she'll get the message that bedtime is bedtime, no excuses. sometimes that is what it takes. a temporary headache from all the screaming and fits she might throw have to be better than all the lost rest. but she could always surprise you and just accept that the little games just wont work anymore with mommy and daddy. kids will do that.


hope you find a solution soon and good luck!

[Xero]

I think you're really doing everything you possibly can at this point. As long as you know she's comfortable and not disturbed, and you do your best to stay consistent, I can't see that you're doing anything wrong at all. I wish I had some better advice for you, BUT I strongly feel that she should see a doctor, because that's really not normal and definitely not healthy for her not to get adequate sleep.

Also, take away the nap!! Then she'll be more inclined to get some sleep at night that she isn't getting during the day anymore. She'll at least be more tired. I've found that even just a half an hour during the day can completely destroy my son's night sleep. All kids are different. A lot of kids still nap until their school years!! I did. But my son just isn't that way, and maybe your daughter is the same. Give that a try for a couple weeks and see how it affects her, and take her to a doctor for sure!!

Good luck.

[inthedark]

Have you looked at her diet? My little girl is a poor sleeper, but has improved since I changed her meals aroung to give a heavier lunch, but lighter meal in the evening. And only milk / water to drink after 4pm.
Seemed to help us.
Good luck

[Xero]

That's true as well, if a child eats a lot of high calory food or drinks a sugary drink right before bed its bound to give them extra energy, which could harm any chances of being tired for bed. :/ Eli is the same way, if he has any sugar before bed he's impossible to get to sleep.