How can I keep my 2 year old twin boys sleeping?

Question

Ok...here's my story.

My wife and I have 2 sets of twins. I work during the day, and she at night.

The first set is girls, age 6, the second set boys, age 2.

The boys go to bed at 8, and are up EARLY every morning. (No later than 6:15). How do I keep the boys from waking up so early so my wife can get some sleep when she gets home at 1:30am, and I leave for work at 6:30am?

We could leave the boys up longer, but after they go to bed is the time we get to do things for ourselves, as well as clean the house, and help the girls with their homework.

Any suggestions on keeping the boy sleeping?

We tried to get babysitters and daycare, which would be economically inefficient.

The boys are up before I even get out of bed most of the time.

When they get up in the morning, they open their door and come into our room and watch TV. If I tell them to go back to bed, they begin to cry loudly, waking the girls as well as my wife up anyway.

Oh yeah...I forgot to add that my wife's mother is in Maine, and we're stationed in Washington State. My family is about 3 hours away, but lack the funds to come over EVER (sadly). With my wife working nights, she works weekends as well, and we don't get an opportunity to go see family.

Tapestry...thanks for your answer, but it's the 2 year olds that we have the getting up early problems with.

Answer 1

the only way i can see them sleeping longer is for you to let them stay up, let them watch tv or drawing while you help the girls with their homework. but you can not force a child to stay sleeping . i wish you all te lluck. you have your hands tied.

Answer 2

OKay 6 year olds should be in school so getting up at 630 is probably normal for them.
If this is a Christmas vacation question you need to talk to the boy's about this. At 6 years old they can be reasoned with... make a list of things they could do while Mom gets some sleep time.
They could play quietly in their rooms. You could make breafast snacks and put them in containers on the table so they would have something to eat.
Is the TV only in your room? Get them a GameBoy video games they have those connecting devices so they can play against each other. Most 6 year olds are so into computer games and Nintendo they rarely bother anyone!

Answer 3

I have a 5 yr old boy and my b/f has a 10 year old. We never have time to ourselves. I work days he works nights. My son used to go to bed at 7:30-8 but he was up early and wanted to nap. They are gettting 10 hours of sleep and that is plenty of time. If you want them to sleep later in the morning, then you will have to keep them up later at night. It's hard because you want time with the older kids and time for yourself but when you became a parent, you pretty much gave up the right to "you time". Find an activity for them to enjoy for another 1/2 hour or so while you help the other children with their homework and pick up the house. The 6 yr olds should be helping around the house a bit and it's never too early to have the two younger ones help pick up their own toys. My son puts his own clothes away once I take the basket to his room and he helps me make his bed every day. Make it fun for all the kids to help once in a while with dinner as well.
In short, the only way they will sleep later is if they stay up later. I average 4-5 hours of sleep each night because I'm a mom. My "me" time is when a family member is helpful and takes my son (any my b/f's son) for a couple of hours. We all learn the hard way to deal with it, but in the end it is so very worth it. Good luck and Happy Holidays.

Answer 4

What I do, not really as far as having them sleep longer but when my children wake up early (which they always do). I allow them to play in their rooms until I get up. Make sure the door is closed and/or if they have a tv in their room let them watch cartoons and play until your wife has gotten adequate sleep. Believe me I have four also and it is very difficult, but that is what I do and believe me it works.

Answer 5

It sounds to me that right before you leave they wake up, so don't be so loud while getting ready. Ignoring that though, that's exactly how long the average person is to sleep and that is a healthy norm. If they go to bed at 10, then they will wake at 8. You can't really make them sleep longer then that though.

Answer 6

it's hard to jump up and down if you say good night, turn off the lights and leave the room, closing the door behind you...even if he sees well in the dark, I bet he'll be board after 5-10 minutes. You can also make sure not to give him sweets and juice after dinner. Fruits and milk/yogurt/water should be plenty. Sugar gives them a high as you know and is not much help to a little guy before bed time.

Answer 7

you know, some people used to think a mom had enough to do without working a job, too.

you have an utterly unworkable schedule. how insane is this when you ask how to keep your kids asleep so you can function?

you are supposed to be meeting your kids needs, not twisting their little bodies to meet yours.

My suggestion is to get a real family life going and stop this two job nonsense. None of you will know each other and few marriages can survive such strain.

You really need to come up with better ideas about how the adults are spending their time, not the kids.

Answer 8

As I do not have any kids, I cannot help you but I really wanted to tell you that I think you and your wife are amazing. It sounds like you have a difficult time but you haven't complained in your question, which many in your situation would.

I hope you find the answer to your question. Merry Xmas and God bless.

Answer 9

Put them to bed later. play harder, make them more tired. Or one of you get a different job.

Answer 10

childrens benadryl....Honestly it works.......