|
Help.
|
|
|
|
|
17/01/2013, 09:32 PM
|
  
Posts: 1,652
Joined: 27-December 10
|
|
Totoro!
|
|
Heya,
After another hour or so of yelling at my 3 year old, Charlie, I really need some ideas about how to deal with bedtime.
My now 8 year old, Max, used to fall asleep in my arms after half an hour of cuddles and back stroking when he was little, (which I never used to find a chore because it was such a loving, special time) But putting Charlie to bed has turned into a yelling horror show and its killing me.
I hate that he only goes to sleep once I give up and scream at him. I hate that I was so happy to spend as long as it took to get Max to sleep, but I dread spending the same time on putting Charlie to bed.
I wish Charlie wanted cuddles but he never has, hes always too busy and has pushed me away since birth.
I've managed to stop feeling so rejected by him but I dont know how to stop yelling at bedtime. Im stuck in the belief that the only way to get him to listen is to scream. I feel like a freaking failure. We've done all the songs, books, stroking, nothing seems to work.
Ive also smacked him a few times which completely freaks me out and scares me. What a horrific way to put my boy to sleep. I'm heartbroken over this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17/01/2013, 10:03 PM
|

Posts: 399
Joined: 7-September 12
|
|
Member
|
|
I had a lot of problems getting my 2.5 year old to sleep, until relatively recently.
The magic formula for us is a bedtime story.
The deal is DD gets into bed, under the covers, head on the pillow, and it's "night, night" straight after the story.
We spend about 15 minutes on the story (a different picture book each evening) discussing the pictures, characters etc.
DD loves it! She has been sleeping from 7.30pm to 6.30am every night for the last 3 weeks.
No tears; no tantrums; just a very settled, happy child.
I'm loving it too, having quality time with her, with lots of cuddles.
I would urge you to try it. Join a library so that you and your DS can choose the books together.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
ETA - sorry OP. I've just re read your post. I see that you've already tried books. I hope that other posters can come up with alternative suggestions.
This post has been edited by natangel: 17/01/2013, 10:09 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17/01/2013, 10:11 PM
|

Posts: 372
Joined: 3-January 13
|
|
Member
|
|
Could you try stories on tape (or CD!)? I have doen the 'just lie here, I'll be back in a minute' thing a lot in the past, sometimes it works, other times not.
Some kids take longer than others to fall asleep. One of mine takes ages and another falls asleep incredibly easily (I am envious!) and the rest are somewhere in the middle. It's nothing to do with me, it's just how they've always been. It's just hot and miss to find out what helps them individually.
A night light (like a moving, swirly, hypnotising one), stories on tape, letting them stay up a half hour later, back rub, whispered stories, a fan, bribery, just keep trying, you'll get there!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18/01/2013, 07:46 AM
|
   
Posts: 8,640
Joined: 19-May 06
|
|
+
|
|
DD2 has been a bit like this. I stopped yelling ages ago. Now, if she comes out, DH and I simply say "Back to bed", pick her up (screaming and kicking) and take her back to bed, put her down, say nite nite and leave the room. It's monotonous and boring, but it seems to work. he first time, I think we carried her back to bed about 15+ times. The second night, it was about 8 times. The third night, it was twice. She goes to bed well for a few nights (maybe a week?) and then she might start up again. But she figures it out pretty quickly that we will just carry her back to bed with no conversation (that's the key, absolutely NO stimulation, no recognition of what they are doing). She gets bored with it quickly.
Good luck. It's totally frustrating and I get where you are coming from.
DD1 was much easier to put to bed once she was a toddler. Oh, the good old days ....
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
|
|
"Attachment parenting has set me up for ... well, I'm not going to say failure, but for a very difficult time," says one mum.
Amidst all the arguing over which paid parental leave scheme is best for parents, is anyone talking about what's best for babies?
Find out the benefits and risks involved with protecting your child from harmful diseases.
Check out our new interactive ebook, part of the brand new SMH Shortbooks series, for free!
A mother sparked conversations around the world when she declared, in a national newspaper, that she wished she'd never had her two children. But her story can teach us a valuable lesson on parenthood.
My child is resisting the toilet training process. We got off to a good start, but now she?s refusing to use the toilet. What can we do now?
We've learned a lot since we launched our first JOHNSON'S� baby powder way back in 1894, so we've put together this collection of 'how to' videos to get you started on your exciting journey.
While most women wouldn?t associate being a new parent with feeling more attractive, it seems men see it differently: they think they?re better looking than before they were dads.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Lighten the load when you win a Little Rascals Nappy Service!
You could win a copy of Parental Guidance on Blu-ray and DVD and tickets to Madame Tussauds Sydney.
You could win one of 20 Call the Midwife Series 2 DVD prize packs.
Win the UE Boombox to listen to music wherever you go, or a TV Cam HD to Skype loved ones right from your TV!
You could win a gorgeous innovative Mamas & Papas Baby Bud!
Preschool activities
Colouring sheets, educational activities and more.
Featured Promotions
Advertisement
|