Sleeping Hell

I don't really know where to post this but since DD1 had an explosive tantrum like a two year old today, why not here?

We're in sleeping hell. She turned 4 in June. If she skips her nap, she is a glassy-eyed zombie from 3pm on. Then she collapses in bed around 7:30-8pm. Wakes up in the AM around 7am. Being tired is a good thing but this is too tired, IMO.

If she takes her nap, she usually sleeps for 1.5 hours or so and then is WIDE awake until 10pm or so. Not good, either. DH and I don't get any alone time and WE are tired.

???? I'm puzzled. MIL has been here for a week and DD has skipped all of her naps. In my motherly opinion, she has gotten really worn out and it has caught up with her (note above message about tantrum!).

Help? Suggestions?

[DCJenn]

Re: Sleeping Hell

We're struggling w/ that here a bit, too.

When all of the relatives were here, neither Nikolai or my nephew napped (both 3.5 yos) and by Sunday night they were total asshats.

On a good, normal, calm, week, Nikolai will nap for about 1.5 hours during the day. He'll go to bed at 8pm and sleep until 7am. Then, there are the other days when he is put to bed at 8pm and gets out of bed 15 times or yells for us and then wakes up at the asscrack of dawn...

I know that there's a definite correlation between how much he's eaten- if he decides to be the Fussy Hussey and not eat too much at dinner, by breakfast he's a raging lunatic. I think he wakes up hungry in the night, too. Also, when he hasn't had the opportunity to run around for a few hours like he does at school, he has a LOT of excess energy to expend. For us, the key is food and playtime.

but everyday it's different, too. Those are my current theories.

Jenn

Re: Sleeping Hell

I would say struggle through it and try to keep her awake. In my experience, her body will adjust in a few (maybe several?) weeks and she will be better able to maintain her stamina in the late afternoons.

I agree.

BTDT. And I agree with Annie's approach. After 6pm or so, my patience starts to approach zero but I can hold out until 7, especially when I know that she will quickly fall asleep.

[Flynn]

Re: Sleeping Hell

I would say struggle through it and try to keep her awake. In my experience, her body will adjust in a few (maybe several?) weeks and she will be better able to maintain her stamina in the late afternoons.

I agree.

BTDT. And I agree with Annie's approach. After 6pm or so, my patience starts to approach zero but I can hold out until 7, especially when I know that she will quickly fall asleep.

Ditto ditto ditto.

My kids gave up all naps well before 3. However, we did what Annie did, just sooner than most parents. I'd MUCH rather deal with a cranky kid until 7 or 7:30 knowing they will sleep and sleep well ---a kid staying up until 10???? Wow. No way baby. Not for me. I'd go nuts in a very short period of time.

I think most kids adjust in a week or two. Maybe my kids are the exception but napping at four sounds pretty unusual from my experience.

[mommax3]

Re: Sleeping Hell

My kids all gave up naps before they were 2.5, so I don't have any experience with this.....but I will say that they always went happily to bed at night during those years! There were days, though, when an ill-timed car ride would provoke a nap and then everything was screwed up!


Sally

[Phoebe]

Re: Sleeping Hell

Similar situation at our house. My 4 yr old needs a nap! I don't make her, but she will fall asleep in the car or on the floor. We usually have rest time. If she can't go to bed right away at night, we let her stay up as long as she wants, but in her room.

Good luck.

[v-girl]

Re: Sleeping Hell

Ya'll are scaring me. Will I be able to put this baby to sleep without nursing or driving him around one day? I mean, I plan on him being weaned by like 18 months (but probably more like 12-14 months). Then my put-the-baby-to-sleep trick with be gone.

Remembering those oh so fun days of sitting on the couch with a toddler/preschooler on either side of me to go to sleep for naps and bedtime.