bedtime horrors

[mad_mum]

my son is 7 years old and hes always been a nightowl , going to sleep late and waking up early, but lately its getting worse. hes been going to sleep at after 12am even though i put him to bed at 7:30 and hes getting up at 6:30 - 7 . thus making him shattered ,especially when hes finished school. i've tried most things, reading storys etc, but it doesn't seem to work. how can i get him to go to sleep earlier than what he is doing? any suggests anyone ?

[flower90]

If you start to build up a routine before he goes to bed each night of relaxing things to do it should slowly get him in the mood of going to bed earlier. such as a warm bath ,lavender on his pillow , sumtimes somthing like a nytol is good to just get him in to a sleep pattern. But sometimes you can start to relie on sleeping tablets which can become a desaster.! x

[Adi's mom]

does he sleep in the afternoon? If yes, try to minimise the length of the nap. If no, then do not put him to bed so early, if his sleep is less. Cause he will just toss and turn, and do what...let him get tired. Let him take a wam shower near bedtime, give him warm milk ( highly recommended ) near bedtime, get him into relaxing exercises ( deep breathing, Yoga). Yoga has helped my mom ( ofcourse she is much older) who had become a night owl over last few years, but sleeps peacefully now. And if things persist, please do consult a doc, cause a child does need to sleep more than 6 hrs.

[crayZ]

u cud bash his head wiv a mallet,knock him rite out

[ceebee007]

Is it worse because the nights are a lot lighter?  If that's the case, you can buy black-out linings for your existing curtains which would help to make his room darker.  You attach them to the back of your curtain using the existing hooks - very effective!

Also, it might be worth making sure he doesn't have too much in the way of food and drinks with colourings and additives.  Check out the Food Section on www.netmums.com for more information.

I often have problems trying to get my 8 yr old to sleep - he never seems to be ready to go to sleep at what I consider an appropriate time on school nights but, unlike your son, mine is never ready to wake up when it's time to get up for school!  He needs a good ten hours every night.

If your boy is only getting 6 to 7 hours sleep a night, then that does seem to be not enough for someone his age.  Have you spoken to your GP/Health Visitor about it?

[Dom Tuk]

Apart from the above suggestions ensure that your child does not have any of the following after 8.00 pm

1. Coke/pepsi or any other drink that comes in a bottle. If he is thirsty let him have water or milk

2. No chocolates

3. No biscuits

4. No crisps

5. if he is hungry let him have toast or fruits.

Let us know the difference.

[ceebee007]

I totally agree with Dom Tuk but would even suggest that it's not after 6pm (and would add No Sweets at all to his list).

[Mattk]

if he doesnt want to sleep dont make him !

my kids have always been nightowls so i used to let them stay up until they got tired....kids can be sensible you know ! your son will know his own limits - just let him tire himself out.

try it - if hes not sleeping till midnight anyway whats the worst that can happen ?

[smee.tracey]

Mattk - do you not treasure your own life. I love my son to distraction but I also need my time alone. I find that, like the others, routine is paramount. Try cutting out some foods. Coloured sweets one week. Flavoured crisps another (they were my brother's problem). Some so called natural fruit juices can contain all kinds of nasties. Keep it simple and healthy and you should be on the right road. Also make sure he has plenty of exercise during the afternoon. Make him do it! If all else fails, Piriton is a wonderful thing.

[mad_mum]

thank you everyone for your suggestions, i do try to keep in a routine, i don't let him have coke or sweets after 6 pm and he has a warm shower before bed, with milk and a plain biscuit. hes always been into his fruit too, like for his breakfast he loves a fruit salad and vegatables and salad he loves! hes more healthy than me lol , so i can't complain at that lol .  hes a hyper child anyway lol so as for getting excercise i'm sure during play times at school he runs about a lot and at the weekends we always are on the go . as for the light nights i agree with u on that , it could be but he has got navy blue curtains in his bedroom what don't let no light in but after a hour of messing about in his room i go in to find there pulled back lol so what can i do . i think the best thing is to see what the doctor says . hes not a bad child i know that but he just never wants to sleep , not like his sister who as soon as her head hits the pillow shes asleep lol . thank u for all your comments anyway. i appreciate them all.  

[FP]

I wouold say that he needs to go to bed later so that he is he really tired.  Putting him to bed too early will make things worse.  Lots of children needs loads of sleep - some need far less.  Try letting him play until about 8.00pm (especially in the summer) then have a warm drink and wind down.  Bed at 9.30 would be fine if he gets up at 6.30.  I speak from experience of a son who didn't require much sleep.

[Marvin84]

I remember when I was at that age, my bedtime was 9.30pm... I suppose that you could consider it late for that age, but I too am a night owl!! I remember always having dramas getting to sleep, so it was 10.30 or so before I drifted off.....

But in saying that, it didn't affect me during the day - I didn't nap or get tired and was quite active (not so much these days!!)....

in the end - it's all up to you!!!

Best of Luck!! :-)