Just Won’t Sleep

[daycare]

It sounds like a nightmare.

part of me is starting to wonder if it is more of a lack of parenting and that she is just fighting the sleep each night because she has that much control over her parents.

I just don't understand how she can go on such a small amount of sleep and that the parents are ok with it, they don't seem to be concerned about it at all.....

[debbiedoeszip]

I don't know. She'd have to be super-stubborn to be able to will herself not to sleep when she's so sleep deprived. I'd investigate a medical reason as well as try behavioural modification at home.

[daycare]

This child has to be the MOST stubborn child I have ever met in my entire life. I don't think that I have ever met any person in my whole life that is more stubborn than this child. The sad part is that I believe that it comes from the dad, because the dad seems to be the same, just not as stubborn.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

part of me is starting to wonder if it is more of a lack of parenting and that she is just fighting the sleep each night because she has that much control over her parents.

Lack of parenting came to my mind, too...in this way: why is she going to bed at 8 or 9 when they know she's not getting enough sleep? I'd be getting her into bed at 7. In my experience, when kids are awake super late, it's often because they've missed the window in which they would have fallen asleep and have gotten a second wind. Would they consider an earlier bedtime?

[daycare]

Lack of parenting came to my mind, too...in this way: why is she going to bed at 8 or 9 when they know she's not getting enough sleep? I'd be getting her into bed at 7. In my experience, when kids are awake super late, it's often because they've missed the window in which they would have fallen asleep and have gotten a second wind. Would they consider an earlier bedtime?

I mentioned exactly that to te parents too and they said dad doesn't get home from work until 8pm or after so this is why the later bedtime.

I suggested trying at start time of 715 and then going from there. Try that time for two week and see how it goes then adjust it by 15 min if it didn't work.

[daycare]

I mentioned exactly that to te parents too and they said dad doesn't get home from work until 8pm or after so this is why the later bedtime.

I suggested trying at start time of 715 and then going from there. Try that time for two week and see how it goes then adjust it by 15 min if it didn't work.

Thu never did anything about it.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

Thu never did anything about it.

Grrrr. How frustrating.

[choirlady76]

Sorry you're having g to go through all of this and that poor girl will not only suffer academically and socially but physically and emotionally too. I'd suggest bringing it up to the parents again that they should take her to their pediatrician, if he's blowing it off perhaps you could suggest a good doc for her to see. This lack of sleep will begin to take a toll on her.

[Leigh]

She's not sleeping because she's not sleeping. Melatonin would be a great way to reset her clock.

Since the parents are not willing to do this, I would suggest to them that they cut out screen time completely for this child (which means the parents don't watch TV around her, either). I would guess that she is probably watching a lot of TV, and that is stimulating for her. They need to set up an environment for her that makes it easy for her to relax and sleep.

They can tell her right after dinner that it is time to wind down-give her a bath, put on her jammies, read some books. Even rock her to sleep for a while, if necessary! This kid needs sleep.

[daycare]

Thanks to C2C I was able to print off the form and sent it off with the parents today. the child has a 4yr check up. keeping my fingers crossed that something comes through to help her out...

[Mom of 4]

I've never heard of a pediatrician knocking down melatonin... And yes it does sound like mom and dad just don't care. Why would they... YOU are the one having to deal with her most of the day!!

Until the parents have a reason to care they likely won't.

If the kid isn't sleeping, the melatonin is a GOD SEND! My kids do not sleep well at all. It's unexplainable. They hated naps but even at night, w/o a nap, they can go go go. My Dr. started letting us give the kids melatonin (1.5mg ) at age 2. They are at 3mg. The trick is, once per month( A WEEKEND, obviously! LOL) they are to go off for a couple days and then start again (so that they don't develop a tolerance and it stops working at the lower doses). As they age, the dose adjusts, but even my 12 yo can take 3mg now and still go to sleep. Without it, they are tired, don't eat well, grouchy and stressed as ALL get-out, and overall, miserable. Also, kids NEED sleep to grow and function, just like us. The Dr. Explained that it was better to give them somthing like melatonin then for them to have other issues down the road. Furthermore, she said this is great option (not exactly clear on WHY or HOW it works, but it does) for those with ADHD/ADD and higher doses for kids with autism so that they don't need other medications. This is MUCH safer than the stuff those kids are getting these days.

[daycare]

YEAH it worked. thanks to your from I got the parent to agree to have the child start the melatonin . I hope that they actually start using it and the child gets to start sleeping. DCM said she gave 0.25 the smallest amount possible last night but child still went to sleep after midnight. Make me wonder if it really is more of a discipline issue