My Child Won't Sleep

[daycare]

Have you tried any form of discipline for getting out of his bed after he has been told not to get up?

Let me tell you exactly what we do..

Dinner is at 615-630

Bath at 7-715

We get dressed and pick out 2-3 books, depending on behavior. Some nights there are no books if he has bad behavior.

7:30- lights out. I will lay and sign a song to him, I kiss him and I leave.
if he gets up I pick him up, say no words and put him back. We do not make eye contact and I lay him back down, rinse and repeat every night until he falls asleep. NO JOKE he does this every night for many hours.

We have resorted to telling him if you don't go to sleep you can't have your toys in the morning and we do follow through, but that does not work.

We don't have a tv in his room or in my room. When he wakes up, he always gets into our bed. Because we (dad and I) are so tired, we leave him. So he ends up sleeping in our bed every night after waking.

I have resorted to sleepign on the sofa for the last few months just so that I can try to get some sleep, but now he comes out to me and I have to get up and put him back in his bed or in bed with my husband so that I can try to go back to sleep. 9 out of 10 times I cant fall back to sleep.

[temom]

Have you ever asked your doctor about having a sleep study done? There are many types of sleep disorders that can affect children.

i agree with kelly here, you seem like a mom who knows what she is doing, maybe it is something else.

[HappyPennie]

Instead of playtime at 12:30 maybe you could try something less energetic, like story time. Maybe it takes him awhile to wind down after play and that maybe has something to do with it? Im just throwing out suggestions for you. I feel for you and your situation, I hope you find something that works, it's no fun running on zero energy. Also, have you tried the lavender scented lotions and bath products? Those worked wonderfully with my son when he was little. A warm lavender bath before bed and then the lotion. Something to try anyway if you haven't already. I hope it gets better or you

[DCP]

While my daughter is not quite as bad - she does not sleep like all the others including her twin sister. Here or at my mothers she is the last to fall asleep and the first to get up. She has not napped since two years of age and is HYPER moody and whiney.

Both the twins had sleep studies done as one had extreme night terrors and both had seizures which they grew out of.
Their sleep patterns improved GREATLY after having adenoids & tonsils removed but this only lasted two years for one of the girls. She has done the getting up 100 times etc. over the years. A different excuse every time. I ignore ALL except bathroom which she knows I only tolerate that one ONCE.
At 7 years old - after the second time I tell her she will stay in her room..but will play (no toys in her room btw) with the one stuffy she is allowed or sing etc. It is CRAZY to me!!! Her father however - is NOT a good sleeper either. But ends up falling asleep sitting up on the couch - mini naps constantly. So with her I think it is just genetics - I have trouble getting TO sleep but once I am there I am fine. He has trouble staying asleep - so the poor kid was doomed LOL

I wish I had a solution for you!! Other than the ones you have tried or others suggested - i am lost!!
If he has a serious lack of sleep - i would certainly speak with his pediatrician to see what they recommend for him

[sharlan]

IMHO, 7:30 may be a bit early for an almost 5 yo. My 4 & 5 yo's both go to bed between 8:30 and 9:00.

I wish you the best of luck. I've seen the hell my dd goes through. They all play musical beds all night long.

[jojosmommy]

How about putting him in at 7:30 but allowing him to read?

Take out all toys/other items from his room. Allow a nightlight (dim for reading purposes but not enough to keep him awake) and the books he is allowed to read. Books and kids stay in bed. You may not get out, you may not talk. If you get up or talk, I take away books, light goes out and door is shut.

No negotiations. and when he gets out of bed in the night, walk him back to bed and start routine over. Don't allow him free reign after dark or he will never stay in bed and asleep.

After he gets it, do the same at nap. No, you are not taking a nap, we are resting our bodies. You may read as long as you like. I will come get you in 1 hour.

Some kids can't not "shut off" the outside world long enough to relax their body and fall asleep. Practice deep breathing with him, practice laying still in bed.

[daycare]

How about putting him in at 7:30 but allowing him to read?

Take out all toys/other items from his room. Allow a nightlight (dim for reading purposes but not enough to keep him awake) and the books he is allowed to read. Books and kids stay in bed. You may not get out, you may not talk. If you get up or talk, I take away books, light goes out and door is shut.

No negotiations. and when he gets out of bed in the night, walk him back to bed and start routine over. Don't allow him free reign after dark or he will never stay in bed and asleep.

After he gets it, do the same at nap. No, you are not taking a nap, we are resting our bodies. You may read as long as you like. I will come get you in 1 hour.

Some kids can't not "shut off" the outside world long enough to relax their body and fall asleep. Practice deep breathing with him, practice laying still in bed.

I am going to try this...

He has no toys in his room they are all in the playroom.... He has books only already..

I am trying it right now with a short movie that he is allowed to watch. I told him that if he gets down off the couch one time that I will turn it off and he will have to go to his room...so far he has been really good...Usually I cannot get him to lay down for anything...

Thank you everyone for responding and giving me some great advice...I am really hoping that something turns around for all of my family memebers..