Any suggestions for hyper behavior and bedtime struggles ?

[Chloevalentine]

Good idea! I never thought of that! Thanks. I did let him sleep I peeked in about 805 and his head popped up he was waking up

[becj86]

I wonder if you can change your plan for getting ready to get out the door for camp - if you're not leaving til 8:45, you may find its easier for you to pack lunch, etc. into his bag while he's asleep and if you just dress him and feed him when he gets up, that can be faster when he's not tired Even lay out his clothes the night before so the choices are made.

[Chloevalentine]

So instead of more l awake time before school maybe key him sleep later and just get him ready as soon as he gets up. It's worth a try! I'm going to bedtime tonight at 8 and see if he goes to sleep easier and see what time he wakes tomorrow. Is it odd at this age though for him to not be able to handle a 13 hour day and take forever to fall asleep (like last night)? Maybe the 12 hour day just works better for some reason

[becj86]

Is it odd at this age though for him to not be able to handle a 13 hour day and take forever to fall asleep (like last night)?

Not especially, some kids can only handle 12hr and by 13hr, they're OT and wired and can't get to sleep.

[Chloevalentine]

I think you are right. Tonight he went Into bed around 8 his dad reads a book and sings a sing or two. Lately he begs for another song even cries and gets out of bed to call for daddy or me. We make sure to leave his light on low and his door open like he likes and then We just yell up the stairs that it's time for bed he must get into his bed and he usually does I hear him talking with his 2 loveys and passes out. So by 815 he was asleep tonight. It's just crazy what a difference it makes it seems to not wake him and do an 8am-8pm day instead of waking him at 730 am and trying to get him asleep by 730 pm. It just makes no sense.

[becj86]

How long has his BT been 8pm?

[Chloevalentine]

It used to be 730 but being that he started sleeping in until 8-830 it started taking him longer to fall asleep at night (or I was putting him to bed later just going with the 12 hours and not wanting to put him down to early) but sometimes I think since its been lighter later at night that maybe that's when he started going to bed a bit later

[becj86]

Ok, so he's really just maybe shifting to fit with his body clock and the environment. I think if you've got the choice of an easy BT at 8 or a horrid one at 7:30 and he sleeps the same amount either way, I know what I'd choose if it was at all feasible.

[Chloevalentine]

I think you are right. He's just the kind that wants some time when he gets up to hang around watch his shows etc. I don't know that I can just rush him out the door. Tiday we had another meltdown going to his school skills class. Hoping this separation anxiety gets better

[Chloevalentine]

Here's what's going on now.... I stopped waking him in morning becUase he was cranky and overtired by bedtime. So he's been waking himself btwn 8-830 which is fine but tonight it's 830 and he's still awake! He actually dozed off in the car today for ten mins (he never sleeps in the car) so I know he's tired but we are in a viscous cycle!!! Ugh now do I wake him tomorrow by 730 in order to get him to bed earlier tomorrow or am I going to cause another issue? I thought sleep troubles were behind me by now

[deb]

Sounds like he manged a Power Nap this afternoon. I always hated it when mine did that. *sigh* That was exactly why I had to stop DD1 napping at all around 2-1/2 - she was ether cranky in the afternoons or up half the night and cranky the entire next day! If she DID nap, we just resigned ourselves to a late night that night (and an awful day next day).

[Chloevalentine]

Oh I see. That ten min nap gave him energy! I didn't realize since he's not a napper. But what happens today? I'm going to get him up soon it's 8 am and just try to get him into bed by 8 tonight. Ugh

[deb]

Today just muddle thru as best you can and try to not let him sleep? I spent a lot of time in "Fake It Till You Make It" territory around this age. Actually, I'm still there now I have a teenager! LOL

[Chloevalentine]

Lol!! Today was a busy day caught him yawning a bit mid day but we watched his shows with a cup of milk in a quiet room to wind down like we always do starting at 630/40 ish up for bath at 7-715 then pjs and I've been leaving room and letting daddy read books and sing and then he comes down about 750 but lately he starts crying for a min or two then just starts talking in his bed and asleep by 810 ish. But lately would pass out around 730 during a song. So this is something new again the crying and taking a bit to fall asleep. I wonder if we need a routine tweak ?

[deb]

3YO is a pretty big shift for many kids. I'd ride it out for a day or two - remember, he had a no-nap day after a late night - and see if it resolves on its own.