Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

I'm having such issues lately. Please give me any advice or tell me what's worked and what hasn't. I feel like I've exhausted all options.

I've cut out sugar
I've tried reward charts
Punishments
Praise
"Relax time" before bed with no tv or anything


What else can I do?

It's a battle every single night. It's driving me to tears.

There's no appeasing him - he's hot, cold, thirsty, hungry. Needs to be tucked in every time he gets out.

I'm at my wits end and miserable. He was a great sleeper as a baby but I'm paying the price now.

Thanks

Re: Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

What time are you putting him down? Maybe it needs to be later? Does he still nap? If so, maybe cut the nap.

My DS wasn't really melting down, but he would say he wasn't tired. So we put a bunch of coloring books, puzzles, books, and other quiet toys in his room. We told him he could play quietly in his room and when he was ready he could turn out the light and go to bed. He was a little over 4 when we started this.

Some nights he plays until 8:30 (we put him in around 7:15) and other nights he goes right to sleep.

Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

I would try starting the routine 1/2 hour later. Set clear limitations with him- relax time for 10 min/ story then bed. Be clear in your expectations meaning he comes out for emergencies (sick, wet bed etc) if he's carrying on- ignore it. Lights out and this is bed time end of story. Feel free to fm me I work as a behavior specialist

Message edited 11/4/2015 8:37:53 PM.

Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

No nap. Bed time is 8:30 pm. He's 4, will be 5 soon. But like I know he's tired, you know? Almost over tired. I've tried the whole "tv is off but you can play or color in your room" thing but he wanders around and is just over tired and crying over the most ridiculous stuff. It's like he's so tired and just can't wind down you know.

Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

Dd was giving me problems a few weeks ago. I get a very small window between putting both girls to bed and my little waking back up in an hour most nights. They also share a room so if she refused to go to bed and we stand there battling the baby loses it and I get zero break. I told her if she didn't stay in bed I was putting one of her favorite dolls in the trash. She got right up so in went tinker bell. When she still wouldn't stay I told her ariel would be next and it finally sunk in. I felt terrible and did pull out the doll and told her in the morning just this one she could have her back in a few days if she was good. I've had very few issues since that night. If she gives me any problems I tell her she won't get to go do xyz the next day or remind her of tinker bell and she relents quickly. It's frustrating though.

Re: Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

Re: Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

I know it's so hard my ds is the same age and we went through it. His be time is 830-9. He is so over tired when he goes to bed but know knows the routine. Hangout and do something special with dad then Ill read him a book in bed. He used to cry and freak out when I would say ok it's bed time. It took months but not its not too bad. Stick with a routine. it will all come together. Good luck!

Message edited 11/4/2015 10:34:10 PM.

Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

My kids (almost 6 and 3 1/2) were doing the same. I put them in their rooms and read a chapter of a book that we need to read as a family for school. It really seems to calm them down (and this week it's been putting them to sleep lol).

Re: Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

DS2 (3 years old) is very high energy and can easily stay up past 10 p.m. He naps, but even if he doesn't, he's still up late. Bedtime is difficult because he frequently doesn't want to go to sleep, then doesn't listen and then has a meltdown if he's reprimanded or punished in any way. He almost needs the meltdown to tire himself out. Recently, instead of having him unwind with a few short books or a show, DH has been reading a chapter or two of much longer books to the kids. This has seemed to work better at tiring him out and keeping him calm. Sometimes it doesn't keep his attention, but for the most part, he enjoys it.

Re: Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

Sorry a little off topic but...
I have kids of similar age. Can I ask what chapter book you are reading that suits them both? I would love to start reading a chapter a night with them.

Re: Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

I can't remember where I read this recently but you give them a "ticket" that they can use and once in bed they can use it only once to get up. Once they use it no more getting out of bed. Haven't tried it so can't say if it works. I do think it's the age though...

Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

I can't remember where I read this recently but you give them a "ticket" that they can use and once in bed they can use it only once to get up. Once they use it no more getting out of bed. Haven't tried it so can't say if it works. I do think it's the age though...

Re: Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

My 5 year old I literally throw him into bed now 40 minutes earlier than usual. I can't take the meltdowns anymore !

Re: Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

So I printed out a cute pic of a little boy sleeping and sheep are jumping over his head. I cut it out and gave it to him. I made sure he had his last last, last drink, used bathroom, had all his stuffed animals Etc.

I told him this was a pass. He could use it once to get up. He took one look at it and said the boy freaked him out and he didn't want it lol. I said ok but if he gets out of bed even once, he's going on top bunk. He said ok.

He called me a few times but he stayed in bed.

Hoping tonight is easy too!

Message edited 11/6/2015 10:20:54 AM.

Re: Meltdowns before bed (3 - 5 years). Come in ..

Posted by EatingMyVeggies

Posted by MrsB12614

I would try starting the routine 1/2 hour later. Set clear limitations with him- relax time for 10 min/ story then bed. Be clear in your expectations meaning he comes out for emergencies (sick, wet bed etc) if he's carrying on- ignore it. Lights out and this is bed time end of story. Feel free to fm me I work as a behavior specialist

Yes - been doing that. And talking prior to bed and stuff. I do ignore it but its relentless. And he will get out and ask for water, etc. No way to "contain" him really uou know?

One of us is gonna end up in a straight jacket soon. I'm kidding but it's just so hard when it seems nothing works.

Tonight I decided that since he kept walking out, crying over non-issues, he was going up on the top bunk. End of story. I know he won't attempt to climb down because he's a little scared. So he's sort of stuck there. He carried on and cried but I ignored him and he's just about asleep now. I'm not sure if that's a good tactic ?
I sort of feel bad doing that.

The past few weeks have just been awful.