Thread: Not sure what to do anymore....

For the past 3 ish weeks Joshua has been giving us a really hard time going to bed, so we moved his bed time to a half hour/ hour later to see if that would help. At first it did, but now he is back to give us a hard time and he is also back to not sleep through the night. Anyone else dealing with a kid that just wont go to bed or stay in bed. I don't know how much more I/ we can take. I/we normally use the time between him going to bed and us going to bed to get ready for the next day/ and take care of things around the house. But, b/c he is not sleeping crap isn't getting done.. which is also isn't helping. Any ideas of what we can do.

Everett has been a PERFECT go to bed kid since he was about a year old. He's been giving us a hard time for about a month. We've stuck to our guns on bedtime but have had to discipline him more about getting out of bed. He is allowed to have toys/books in bed with him but he is not allowed to get out of bed. The rule is if he gets out of bed then he gets a spanking. He got 3 spankings and we haven't had any issues since. I know some people aren't fans of spanking, but it seems to be working for us so it's what we are doing. I'm certainly not hurting him, but it's enough to get his attention.

So. . .if you aren't the spanking type, but can think of something else that is "the punishment" for not staying in bed and stick with it.

When he would get out of bed, I also took all his toys away. He wasn't allowed to play if he was out of bed. Everything he picked up I put away where he couldn't reach it. Eventually he would head back to bed.

It's very frustrating, but I take it that he's just testing boundaries and trying to control the situation.

Naps are another story in this house though.

Thanks Amy.. Glad to hear that we aren't the only ones dealing with this.

We too are having bedtime issues. Josh never really gave us an issue when it came to bedtime, but the last few weeks he's become difficult. He doesn't want to sleep in his bed, he's scared, he wants to sleep in our bed, leaving his door open etc...We had a few rough nights lately, but I "think" things are improving. He if puts up a huge fuss then he's trains in his room are taken away. I also try to promise him something fun the next day that he can look forward to. So far it seems to be helping. Good luck!

I get "I don't like my bed, it's scary" He has never slept in our bed, but he asks for that too. Very odd!

I wonder if part of the problem is that it's still light outside at bedtime?

I thought that it being light outside was the issue thats why we moved his bedtime to 830/9 that worked for about a week.

Russ has been giving me issues too especially since I'm no longer caving and letting him sleep with me. I get "I don't like my room" and "I don't like my bed" all the time. Some nights I want to pull my hair out but consistency has been key for us, and spankings or the threat of them. He has started telling me he doesnt want to go to sleep yet. I tell him he doesnt have to, he can sit in his bed and read but he can not get up. Usually with in 15 min (on a good night) he is sound asleep.

We are in the same boat. Amy I really like your idea, get out of bed and get a spanking. Lexi has once again returned to our bed. The past two weeks we haven't faught her because it's been late when we get home and DH and I want to get to sleep as well. I think a big part of it is the light but even when it's dark she refuses to go to her bed. I think I"m going to get a night light and use Amy's spanking idea so I can get my bed back.

TMI but last night was DH's birthday and I wanted to give him a special present but couldn't because Lexi refused to sleep in her own bed.

Megan- Joshua has also returned to our bed and I am just so tired I dont fight it either anymore.. I would love to end it but he wakes up between 5 and 530 on weekends b/c thats what time he gets up during the week, if we stop him from sleeping in our bed we will lose him sleeping until 830-9 ish.

we are in the same boat too...... Syd has been the absolute best sleeper since she was a baby!! All of the sudden its, i need to pee, i need a drink, im scared, theres a monster, this toy needs fixed, i want to cuddle daddy...... anything you can think of to get out of bed! Driving me NUTS!!!