I have always kept a pretty good routine and then a few nights ago he started jumping out of his bed and running around the house laughing. (like it is a game) I would keep calm and put him in bed over and over again like people say and he would just throw a fit and do it over and over again. As most parents know this is so frustrating. I have managed to keep my cool but I don't know how much longer. Oh and by the way a gate is not going to work because he will find a way to climb right over it if he feels like it. (strong willed) I also have told him he does not have to go to sleep he just has to stay in his bed and usually it worked, but not now. Why do you think he would start doing this? How do I fix this problem. I don't want this to start going on every night, is he just testing me to see if I get angry. Should I get angry? Or do you think this will make him think it is even funnier.? I am a pretty calm with him most of the time, is this how he learns what makes mommy tick?
2007-08-19 16:52:25 · 5 answers · asked by D 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
He's testing boundaries, and yes - trying to find out what makes you tick. I think it's a stage - our three year olds started doing the same thing.
1. Get a lot of exercise during the day. LOTS of running.
2. We reduced naptime to 1.5 hours, and in the early afternoon. There are some days that they don't take a nap at all, which makes bedtime easier. If he's still taking a nap, reduce the amount of time, and make it earlier (so he's up by 3:00 at the latest).
3. Remain consistent - get his behind out of bed the same time every morning. Don't let him sleep in until 9 just because he was up late. Stay with the bedtime routine. It's something he knows, and he knows what to expect.
4. If you're the one that usually puts him back to bed, have Dad do it for a couple of nights (if that's an option).
5. We actually started taking toys away for disobedience and fit throwing. The first time we did it was really tough, but by the fourth time they "got it". If they're disobedient, one of their favorite toys is taken away and they have to be good for ___ long (a few hours if it's a minding issue, until the next day if it's a fit issue) to get it back.
6. Watch sugar intake after 3 p.m., just in case that's where he's getting his energy from. Not just candy and cookies, but juice and yogurts (big culprits in hidden sugars!) and other foods.
7. You might try instituting the two tuck-in rule. He gets tucked in nicely the first and second time (usually we have a second time because of potty trips), with tucked in covers, kisses, cheery 'good night', etc. The third time, you put him in his bed with no tucking in or kisses, and a stern 'stay in bed'. The fourth time, you discipline him in a manner he's use to. One of my friends gives her son a five minute time out if he tries to get up during the night - he knows from experience that he has to be still for five minutes during time out or get into worse trouble, and he falls asleep during that his nighttime time out every time.
Good luck, and remember, this too shall pass!
2007-08-20 22:09:25 · answer #1 · answered by mommybearto2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try acting like you are angry with him. My husband RARELY raises his voice to our 3 year-old but when he does he snaps right to attention. Yelling or raising your voice all the time is not good though. During the day tell him he can't have something he wants or do something he wants to do because he won't go to bed at night. Remind him at night before bed...a 3 year-old's attention span is about as long as our arms. Tell him if he goes to bed that he can do what he wanted to earlier. I do this with my son and it seems to be working for the most part.
2007-08-19 16:59:45 · answer #2 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my 3 year old hasnt been wanting to go to bed either. similar situation as yours... always had a good routine, no major bedtime problems...
i think maybe he just doesnt need as much sleep these days! if i let him stay up he'll stay up til after 10!
make sure he gets lots of play time, exercise all day, wear him out! maybe let him stay up later than usual...
good luck!
2007-08-19 17:08:11 · answer #3 · answered by beach answerer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2007-08-21 03:12:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well turing the lights out is a good way or tell him a boring story
2007-08-19 18:26:46 · answer #5 · answered by keke 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋