Moms. Kids 6 years old. How do i break the " avoiding bedtime"? We read to her every night. She doesn’t know how to go to sleep on her own and we NEED her to. Do we just let her cry? It’s exhausting having to get up and down up and down when she doesn’t get her way. Any tips help.
My son is autistic with sensory and bed time was always a nightmare. Reading always woke his mind up more. So it became start bedtime routine 45 min before actual bed time, snack, potty, brush, sit calm for 10-15 min (snuggle If you want). Then tucked him in, sat rhere until he was situated (5-10 min) then he got one “hey mom” and then it was TO SLEEP. and it took a few times but it worked out after a few weeks
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Melatonin or magnesium spray
A nightlight… maybe buy her a new favorite stuffy to go to bed with… bath before bed with nighttime lotion…
Sounds like she knows who is in control.
Yes. Let her cry. Crying hurts no one.
Maybe post 3 slips of paper on the wall. The first week she gets 3 mom/dad “call-backs” and you remove one slip each time she calls out, reminding her no more after 3. After 3 let her cry it out, even if she’s super cranky the next day. She WILL test you, but don’t budge even if you have to put on noise canceling headphones. After 2-3 nights she should realize you are serious.
The next week go down to two, the following week to one.
When you or hubs go in her room, do not turn on the light, as much as possible do not talk (hmm? Mmm hmm softly is OK). Quiet, calm movement only. Do not pick her up. Pat or rub her on the back, pat her hand, her head, adjust the covers, whatever, but do not let her out of bed. Be pretty impassive.
Good bedtime routine helps. Maybe end with a prayer or calming poem you say together as a closing. Let her have a small, safe stuffed animal or similar to hug.
You/dad can also lie on the floor by her bed as she falls asleep but do not interact with her. If you’re like most moms you will be able to fall asleep yourself until the floor gets uncomfortable, by which time she should be asleep. After she’s comfortable with this, about a week or so, switch to sitting outside the room for a while, then she should be conditioned and you won’t have to stay.
Make sure she gets enough physical activity during the day and start to wind down after dinner.
Go to the library and find books or other media on sleep training and try that. Only one technique at a time for a month though.
Good luck! My granddaughters love swimming and going to a community pool thoroughly tires them out if that’s an option. Saying goodnight strongly and going out without looking back helps.