It is midnight and I am still up with my 3 yr old...HELP!!!!?

Question

My son is almost 3 and has been in his toddler bed since he was about 18 months cause he started to climb out of it then. For several nights now, he has not been staying in bed or in his room after bed time. He hasn't taken naps for over a year, he out grew them early. We have a strict bed time routine that has been close to the same since birth and he is busy playing, reading books and whatever else all day. I don't see how he can't be tired. I have tried waking him up early. His dad and I get up around 5am everyday. I don't like staying up this late trying to get him to bed. If anyone has any other suggestions, please, please, please, let me know. I am so tired of doing this every night. He is about to get a new bed next month cause his toddler bed use to be a crib and we are having a baby in March. I want him use to sleeping in the new bed before then. I hope that works. Any other ideas would be helpful. TIA

Answer 1

you are probably missing his "window of oppurtunity" then he is overtired. At 3 (also no sleeps) my kids were in bed at 6pm and slept till 8am. Try getting him down earlier than you have been trying

Answer 2

does your bedtime routine consist of baths? I've found it helps my kids relax at night. I use the bedtime bath soap which contains lavender, which will further help them relax enough to go to sleep. Perhaps he is overtired. I agree with Rachel...my daughter goes to sleep at around 8:30 pm and wakes up at about 10 (no nap during the day).

My daughter had a lot of sleep issues when she turned 3. She'll be 4 in April. Your son will more than likely grow out of it.

Answer 3

i went through this... it lasted for a year... my son would sleep in my bed or on the couch. the more i positivly urged him to sleep in his bed, the less he liked it... i let him fall asleep in my bed then i'd move him to his bed, and he'd be MAD in the morning. this worked for me... he started wanting to sleep in his bed again about a month ago. after bath and snack(which he loves and is always healthy) he goes up and picks a book and i let him alone for 5 minutes, then i go up, read the book, hugs kisses, blow a kiss from the door way.... and i leave the light on.... he is scared of the dark..

the light stays on ALL night, because i refuse to have him scared shitless in the middle of the night because its dark and then him not want to sleep in his bed again. when he is ready he will turn the light off

try rearanging his room buying some new bedtime books, snack REALLY worked for us, it helps so much.
i say "ok time to get ready for bed" and he says " OH! i need my bedtime snack"
tonight it was a little danimals yogurt smoothie drink and slicked kiwi. its NEVER the same night after night.

ask him what he would like to do before bed(we also did this) he got to pick one activity to do together after his sister goes to bed,
anything from watching a cartoon, to playing my old super nintento, to dancing. nothing too stimulating though!

also helps to serve dinner 3-4 hours before bedtime.
anyless than two hours and you're in for a longer bedtime rountine.

the usual night here is :
6:30 dinner
7:30 bath
8:00 play with his sister
8:50 (his sisters before bed cuddle time)
9:00 activity with me
9:20 snack
9:30 story and kisses

good luck

Answer 4

i have a 3 yr old and 21 month old and they are hard to get to bed sometimes too although i cheat sometimes and giving them warm milk and a turkey roll up ( just sliced turkey) like half an hour before bed makes em sleepy its worth a try and also when he gets out of bed just put him back and sometimes it takes over and over again also close the door dont leave it open to where he knows he can come out and wonder and it wont hurt em to cry a little especally when their not getting to do what they wanna do

Answer 5

Start a bedtime ritual. GIve him a drink. Read 1 book and then cover him up, turn out the lights and crack the door to his room and go to bed. Tell him you are tired and going to bed. Say good nite.

Answer 6

When my son was that age he used to have a bath before bedtime. There is a baby bath soap that helps soothe them for bedtime. I want to say its made by Johnson and Johnson. There is also a decaff tea called Sleepy Time. My mom used to suggest that. Tho i never tried it. For me tho...the bath, playing his sleepytime tape and just rubbing his back till he zonked out was our routine. My child had that "oh my gosh what am I missing?" attitude when it was bed time tho...lol so i Know what your going thru. good luck!