bedtime problems

[tracey2327]

My 3 year old, Emma, is having a real hard time with bedtime. We put her to bed at the same time every night, but every night when we tell her it's bedtime, she cries. I mean completely SOBS. Then she won't stay in bed, she comes out repeatedly crying or just saying she wants to stay up, or be tucked in again and again. It takes us an hour every night to get her to stay in bed to go to sleep. Did anyone else have problems putting their child to bed as a toddler? What did you do to remedy the problem? I don't want to punish her because I have problems sleeping and tend to get up several times before I can go to sleep also, but I need her to understand she needs to stay in bed and get her sleep. Any suggestions?

[CafeMom Admin]

May. 14, 2009 at 5:10 PM

Hi tracey2327

We saw that you were looking for advice on sleeping issues with your 3 year old.  You should check out this group, Advice for Moms.  There are lots of members in there who can help you out.

You may also want to try Preschooler Moms. 

|The CafeMom Admin Team

 

[Kellyjude1]

May. 14, 2009 at 7:36 PM

 We read some bedtime stories before bedtime.  My son who is 4 years old will pick out the books, and he knows once we read the books then it is time for bed.  This is a nightly routine that works.  Also try using a night light.  Reading the books to my son while he is laying in his bed seems to relax him before his bedtime. 

[tracey2327]

May. 15, 2009 at 1:27 AM

What kinds of stories do you read him? She has a night light and sometimes I think that's part of the problem...she doesn't seem to want to sleep when she can see all around her. Tried taking it away but that doesn't change anything.

(Original Poster)