Bedtime drama

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the thoughts so far. She is in full day preschool and there’s quiet time but she doesn’t nap. We aim to leave the room at 7.15 but last night when I posted in frustration it was after 8 by the time she fell asleep.

She doesn’t really come out of her room after we leave, but it’s us leaving the room that causes the drama. She wants more hugs, more kisses, more back rubs, more milk etc. then loses it when we say no more and we are leaving. Then it’s crying and yelling to come back. I try to stay strong and not go back in, but that’s where my husband and I disagree. He goes back in to calm her, which usually works, whereas I think we need to stay strong and not give in bc I feel like that teaches her to just whine and then she gets what she wants. I just want her to go to sleep. I don’t love the idea of telling her she can do whatever she wants in bed bc I want to make she’s getting enough sleep.

AAP says 10-13hrs of sleep for a 5 year old. Your problem may simply be a too-early bedtime

[Anonymous]

Eh, could also be a too late bedtime depending on when she gets up. My 5 yo sleeps 6:45-6:45.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Investigate the Supernanny technique. Very limited conversatIon and walk them back to their bed every.single.time. This could take a few hours the first night, but your child will figure out that you are not budging. You currently have some bad habits that you need to correct. Good luck.

https://www.supernanny.co.uk/Advice/-/Parenting-Skills/-/Routine-and-Teamwork/Bedtime-Routine.aspx

Exactly this. Sounds behavioral. Doesn't sound like there is an underlying need. This is the best approach. Good luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

There's a couple of posts on bedtime drama and how to get past it here: https://www.lernerchilddevelopment.com/sleep