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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: prissygirl1 on October 19, 2011, 12:43:20 pm
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i have a two year old who just hit what most would call his terriable twos. when it is time for bed he crys and wants up to play or potty never actually trying to lay down. it has gotten to the point me and my husband are loosing sleep and he works early in the mornings. what can i do to help my little monster fall asleep at bed time. :-
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the best thing to do is to start a bedtime routine. he is gonna cry your ears off but after a while he should get used to the routine and little by little his crying fits won't be as long and soon he will be used to going to sleep.
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My four year old daughter is the same still help me too :(
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the best thing to do is to start a bedtime routine. he is gonna cry your ears off but after a while he should get used to the routine and little by little his crying fits won't be as long and soon he will be used to going to sleep.
I agree completely!!! You need a routine or a system and always follow through with it. After a week or two, or even a month, your kids will just know..."Hey, it's time for bed and my carrying on is getting me no where". I'm not saying it will be easy, because it's not but it does pay off. My daughter don't even fight with me anymore. She justs gets up, kisses us goodnight and goes to bed. The hardest thing was getting her out of my bed. lol........That was a year long battle, but WE WON! :thumbsup:
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My parents always laid down with me... My dad says he had to do this weird thing with his eyes. Here's how he describes it:
He stared into my eyes and blinked once, slowly, then opened them again. He repeated this until I started mimicking him. Then he blinked his eyes slower and longer until eventually I couldn't keep my eyes opened any longer (idk if this really works).
A warm drink helps too (milk, tea, even water).
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Just having a routine. Sounds like you should start at least 30 minutes before bedtime to "wind down." My daughter is almost 6 and we have a routine of pjs and toothbrushing and a story.
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Had the same problem when my daughter was 2 :BangHead: I didn't have much of a routine but a system...
1. Outside for running around or dancing/jumping inside. Anything to get rid of the built up energy. Outside play was more effective then inside, the sun can be so draining in miami lol
2. Wash hands for dinner. Nothing too light, it had to be pretty filling so she wouldn't be hungry a hour later
3. Warm bath and teeth brushing (her signal that its almost bedtime). She's now full and clean :thumbsup: I also used a little j&j sleepy time lotion on her face and body.
4. 15 quickie minutes of TV if its not too late. Optional of course. I learned not to let her sleep with the TV on anymore like me but she did get use to it unfortunately, lesson learned.
I wasn't in this exact order every time but that's it. Hope this helps ;D
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There should always be a routine and it should be consistant. After a while, the kids will get the picture that you mean business and it will start getting easier and go more smoothly. They want to "test boundaries" like we did when we were kids, but we have to remain strong and always follow through. =)
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read a story, play some soothing music.
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before you go to sleep, lay down and read a book with him
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If he takes a nap, make sure its a morning nap, that way he should be tired at night when its time to go to bed. :dontknow: A bath before bed is always nice! :thumbsup:
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some chamber music may help.
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As I don't have children, the only things I know were what my parents did, what I hear my siblings do with their children, and Super Nanny ;D
From several Super Nanny episodes, she was a big promoter of the bedtime routine that others have suggested. The key is always consistency. The only other thing she noted (not sure if this is your case or not) is if your child has a habit of getting out of bed/leaving the room, Super Nanny's advice is only when you first put your child to bed, you give hugs/kisses and say good-night. After that, ignore the ploys the child will try to do to stay up, and if they leave their room/bed, to escort them back to bed without saying anything more to them (that was the key - being silent)...then keep escorting them silently until they fall asleep. The families that had this issue found the trick worked and within various amounts of days their kid would go to sleep with no issue.
Good luck!
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I'd say start by speaking positive about your child, terrible - awesome, Monster - angel.
1. depending on the season or your location I'd suggest a bath before bed and something to drink.
2. As mentioned in an earlier post. Create a consistent bedtime routine, remembering that you are the parent,
meaning this won't happen overnight, and though it pains you to bear a little crying you have to stay consistent.
3. change your switch to a dimmer that will set the atmosphere, your child will get so used to it he'll be asking you to dim the light.
Hope this help. All the best.
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Is the child still napping in the afternoon? I know for my kids, once they were staying awake at bedtime it was time to take out the daytime sleep.
It is hard adjusting to not having the nap, but nighttime goes so much more smoothly. Worth a try!
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MILATONE its all natural sleep aide you find in the vitamins it is wonderful
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All right, lets see what I can add to the suggestions:
1. If your child has an afternoon nap, then either let him have one earlier, or none at all. If he has to have the afternoon nap then just 30 minutes or 1 hour, no more than that.
2. Make sure you tire him as much as possible so he really is ready for bed.
3. Like everybody else have a routine, after dinner, you can play for 30 minutes, then bath, teth and read a book or watch some sort of cartoon for 15-20 minutes, depends on what you do. If it is the TV then put the timer on and say "When the TV turns off it is time to sleep"
4. Close the bedroom door and no matter what do not open it, if he comes out of the room then just take him back and close the door again. If you need to put up a Gate on the door, so he realizes that youu really mean business, then go ahead and do it.
Children always try us, the see how much they can get away with, so be consistant and put down the law, and no matter how hard it is follow thru. Yes you and your hubby might have a couple of difficult days ahead, but after he realizes that you are not going to let him play, run, or watch TV all night, and he sees that no matter the amount of cry and screaming he does, you are not letting up. he will go to bed without a fuss.
Terrible twos are horrible but if one of you, at least has a very strong hand and the children realizes that he will not be able to play around that person, they really settle.
In my house, even though I have the "LOOK" down to the T, my girls are teenagers, but they know that I am a little more relaxing than their daddy, they will try somethings with me and depending on what it is I go along with it or not; but when it is something more serious and I do not want to make the decision wihtout the absolute consultation of hubby, I say, OK go and tell Daddy, they go "OH OK never mind then, he will say NO and we cannot gain say him". Even though I am firm also, they know I am a little more soft handed than him.
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Just let them cry. Easier said than done. I would never be able to do that, but that's what people always say.
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MILATONE its all natural sleep aide you find in the vitamins it is wonderful
Yeah, okay. First, it is called melatonin and is a hormone. Secondly, did you even bother to read what the original poster asked? I'm guessing not, or you don't know zilch about kids or medications. This is about a 2 year old child and you do NOT just give them something to make them sleep. ::)
Getting the routine down is key, but not easy, and remember no child has ever died from crying because they don't want to be in their bed. The cries of your child hurt you more than them. ;) Good luck.
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i have a 20 month old and i need to start the routine with her.
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I sympathize with you, my little niece is at that age & she starts the screaming when my brother picks her up & starts heading up stares. LOL, they don't even have to say "it's time for bed" internally she's clocked to know when. My
suggestion are:
1. Don't make him take an afternoon nap. When it's time to go to in the evening he'll still be wired & energized by the nap. My Parents use to make us take an afternoon nap & it would give us enough energy to play all night long.
2.Keep him busy, so he can burn out that 1000 energy volt.
3.I gave my niece this stuff dog that plays happy, happy nap time when you squeeze it. If he has a favorite toy, give it to him only if he goes to bed w/out a fight.
4.Kids can read our body language & the tone of your voice.@bedtime,My brother has this tense look on his face & his voice sounds slightly higher.My sister in-law make this tense frown on her face, her lips thins as she's tries to keep her temper@check.
5.Babies normally don't know to cry when they get hurt or react to certain situations. Guess, where they learn this behavior? Yap, from mom& dad they read your reactions.Like if he falls but is not hurt bad gets up doesn't cry until he sees your expression then out comes the tears & screams!This is a learned negative behavior. Practice tough love, take him to bed but don't react to him in fact don't even say a word. When he realize that he as no power over bedtime the learned behavior will decrease & soon disappear. :thumbsup:
6. With what ever you choose to do, stay with it, stay consistent. Keep him on a strict routine!
:star: I hope this helps out
:star:Hope this helps you out, he'll grow out of it.Unfortunately, for my brother, I think this not wanting to go to bed at bedtime will not be cured.Because, I think she got this genetically from me. I've never liked going to bed at bedtime. Don't know why but I'm still the same.LoL.... ;D :wave: