Breaking bad habbits

Dd who is 3 is a terrible sleeper. We have the bad habit of falling asleep with the TV on and recently her sleep has gotten worse and she won't nap and is quite difficult at times during the day.

I want to establish a better routine and get us all sleeping better. So yesterday I told her that the TV would be turned off after Mickey Mouse then we would have our bed time milk, go potty and then brush our teeth. I offered cuddling and books. She said alright and gave me thumbs up.

What happened was almost 2 hours of hysterics where she screamed and tossed around until she realized that she didn't need me to turn the TV on she could do it herself.

I told her if the TV is on mommy is leaving. She chose the TV and I went to bed. I moved her to her bed from her anywhere chair a little later.

I now feel like last night was a complete waste and am clueless what to do. We need to break this habit and get on a good routine. My maternity leave ends soon (her little brother sleeps better than her) and she is starting pre school.

Sorry so long and thanks.

Breaking bad habbits

Where is she falling asleep? I know my dd's 3 also but we watch, she has her milk and then we say it's bedtime and we tuck her in and that's it..she talks and sings and chats but she's in there and goes to sleep..

I think consistency is key and it's not going to happen overnight and there are going to be tougher nights but it pays off to have routine for sure

Good luck and fm if you want..I have a spirited dd too :)

Re: Breaking bad habbits

She goes to bed in her room. She has a TV in there. She used to fall asleep pretty quickly. It started as sure we can watch a doc mcstuffins and cuddle and then it's just slowly gotten worse to where she is watching TV and not falling asleep. I will try again and will be clear what the plan is.

Re: Breaking bad habbits

I would probably put the tv on a setting that looks like the tv is broken (change the input or turn the tv on but cable box off) to show it's it's broken. Then I would take the tv out o her room. After pjs and brushing teeth, we do a little tv and reading books in the master bedroom then transition my DD to her room. You can also use a timer and when times up its time to go to sleep.

Re: Breaking bad habbits

Can you take the tv out?

I think if she can see it, she's going to expect it to be on. That's a hard habit to break so out of sight, out of mind.



I know I repeat myself over and over witht he last show. I tell her until she answers me yes, then a few times throughout hte last show. It's annoying but if I'm not clear, its a huge tantrum when it goes off.

Another thing, we realized the tv stimulated my daughter to much and she couldn't calm down and go to bed. We don't watch tv after 4 pm usually


I think you need to do a huge nighttime make over. It will take a few days, but do it now for some sleep

Breaking bad habbits

I would take the tv out of her room. You'll have much more control over bedtime if there is no tv. You can tell her it's time for bed and leave. Put a gate up in front of her door if she tries to leave. Set up a rewards system for her - if she stops crying earlier the second night give her a reward.

It's going to be a lot of work. They're so set in their ways already by 3! Good luck!

Breaking bad habbits

I would remove the tv. While I am not against tv watching in general I don't think children need one in their rooms. Also I've read articles about adults and screen time before bed and how it can kind of wire you. I think consistency will be important. Decide on a routine and stick with it. Offer her books. She may cry at first and carry on but eventually she'll get it.

Breaking bad habbits

I'm with others and would remove the TV. I would also make sure you start prepping her a few hours before bedtime that there is NO TV so she isn't shocked upon bedtime.

She isn't going to change overnight, it will be a hard few days. But its better for her to get good rest. She's old enough to understand.

Re: Breaking bad habbits

Take the TV out of her room. Good luck!

Re: Breaking bad habbits