bedtime routine struggles!!!!

[sweetkisses]

For several weeks now dd's bedtime routine has become a nightmare. It is a huge stuggle to brush teeth, bathe, put on diaper, pj's, etc. She's gets so upset and will cry or scream the entire time.

I remain calm, tell her I understand you are upset but we have to brush your teeth or XYZ.

Is this just an age thing (she'll be 2 this month) or am I doing something wrong?

My only other thought is maybe she's too tired at that time. We usually start all this at 8:15-8:30 and she gets to bed around 9:00. She started a new dc a few weeks ago so her naps have changed to once a day.

[RedheadbyChoice]

I'm sure that a new DCP and fewer naps are making her a crabby girl---that's a lot to adjust to for such a wee one!

But, she's 2. snort That's a category all in itself sometimes!

Are you still doing bedtime at the same time as you were prior to the nap reduction? If she's overtired, I'd certainly try to start that earlier in the evening.

It's worth a shot, at any rate.

[Funmommy]

Yeah it sound like she's beyond tired. My boys did the same thing (right around that age i think) and it was because they were overtired. You're definately NOT doing something wrong!!!! Besides any change in routine can mess the poor little ones up. My 4 year old has just had his schedule changed and he now cries in the morning when i wake him up.
:( I've just gotta start getting him to bed sooner at night to get better wake up mornings.
Good Luck
Funmommy/Nadine

[sweetkisses]

I think moving bedtime up would be a good idea. I usually have to wake her in the morning as well and she can be a little crabby.

Of course when the weekend comes around she wakes on her own at 7am on the dot!! How do they know it's the weekend and mommy and daddy want to sleep in! :D

[KatieLou]

You are not doing anything wrong Momma. She is 2, and sometimes 2 year olds can balk at things like this! Change could be the issue, my household goes crazy when there is change.

Something to try if you want to. We sing songs for everything. "This is the way we brush our teeth" DD gets to ride the "horsey" aka Daddy to the bathroom. and when she balks at having her teeth brushed Daddy (I make him brush teeth!) Tells her he has to get the mermaids, or princess germs off her teeth.

A earlier bedtime could be helpful too. Ours are in bed by 7:30

[madelsmama]

I agree with the others. Some of it is age, but sounds like she might be totally wiped out. Perhaps start the routine to get her in bed by 8ish?

[sweetkisses]

I agree with the others. Some of it is age, but sounds like she might be totally wiped out. Perhaps start the routine to get her in bed by 8ish?

The first week or two of her starting at the new dc I tried getting her to bed by 8 but it was so hard. Getting off work at 5, not home until 5:30 or 6. Making dinner, eating, letting her play outside. There is just not enought time in the afternoon!

I can see from everyone's responses so far it is probably more of a tired issue so I'm going to make more of an effort to move bedtime up.

[kbearmytai]

Of course when the weekend comes around she wakes on her own at 7am on the dot!! How do they know it's the weekend and mommy and daddy want to sleep in! :D


I know what you mean. I have to wake my dd's at 6:30am M-F, but when the weekend hits they will be up on their own at 5am.

[Jmom1010]

I had a feeling you were talking about a 2 yr old. We too have had these struggles. I took it as a step toward independance and treated the problem as such. Although all the things you mention are mandatory at my house too, how we go about getting them accomplished has changed.

Tooth brushing.... DS and I take turns and we bought him a new Diego toothbrush which he loves. I also sing crazy songs about brushing teeth. You know Wee Willy Winkie? Well at our house he is a tooth brush and he runs through Jason's mouth upstairs and downstairs with his toothpaste.

Dressing offer choices but keep it simple, red truck PJs or green truck PJs.

Diapers are not too big of a struggle nor is PJ time but sometimes we let DS run a bit nakie and that helps. We use a timer to signify when nakie time is over.

Also preteaching and specific cues related to a change in activities. We love reading books and when they are dwindling down we tell DS OK after these two books are done it's time to.......

[Stephanie]

The kids in our house don't even wear pjs 1/2 the time. Dd despises clothes, so unless she asks we don't even bother. :)

We brush the bugs out of teeth. It keeps it fun most of the time, but occasionally we have a day where ds or dd cry and complain. Teeth brushing is not an option, so we press on ahead.

Those are just little things. My kiddos frequently go through bedtime funk, so we are used to it in our house. Dd has decided yet again, that her bedtime is after 11. I honestly don't know how she does it.

[sweetkisses]

Well, tonight was like we had a different child! We started our bedtime routine at 8 and she was nursing by 8:30. We did not have any struggles tonight what so ever.

I would still like to move bedtime up a little earlier but at least this was a start.

[Jmom1010]

Good luck with that, the sun is up way too late these days. I can't fall asleep at my normal bedtime and DS can't either. Just another reason Summer is not my fave season!

[KatieLou]

Wonderful!

[Jmom1010]

Well, tonight was like we had a different child! We started our bedtime routine at 8 and she was nursing by 8:30. We did not have any struggles tonight what so ever.

I would still like to move bedtime up a little earlier but at least this was a start.


OK totally OT but song is your siggy line from? I'll post this then remember I know it!

[Jmom1010]

yup I remembered! It's the John Mellencamp song.

[sweetkisses]

yup I remembered! It's the John Mellencamp song.


You got it! "Peaceful World"

[Jmom1010]

I literally sang the song to myself to get that LOL