Bedtime when the sun is still shining

[MidnightCommando]

I need some tips to help get DD (3.5) to get to sleep when the sun is still out. The days are getting longer here and we're already seeing her go down later than she needs. We've put room darkening curtains in her room but when the sun is shining into the rest of the house it doesn't help. DD lives by light/dark, we had a hard time getting her up in the winter when the mornings were still dark but at least we could turn on the lights in the house. The last few weeks she's been battling even starting the bedtime routine since she sees it is still light outside

Ideally, we start the bedtime routine at 8 and she's in bed at 8:30. Here in the summer it is light until 9:30-10 p.m. If she stays up past 9, the next day is a nightmare since she does not nap anymore.

Thanks

[K-Mom3]

Black out your windows.

We lived in Alaska for three years and it was SO HARD to get kids to sleep in the summer. You have to put up dark curtains or foil or something to block out the light in the bedroom.

My kids also seemed to need more time to transition to the darkness. Y'know, they'd be playing outside or in our bright living room and then we'd bring them up to a dark bedroom and they would still not be ready. So, you need to start dimming the lights earlier. If you have to hole up in the bedroom for hours before bedtime, that might be the answer. Or at least close the blinds wherever you are after dinner, keeping lights to a minimum.

I know there is a special light called a Dawn Simulator that is supposed to help your body clock in the winter--I wish there was a dusk simulator too! My kids go to bed so much better in the winter.

[blizzard_babe]

Yup, foil, or a cardboard cut-out that exactly fits your window size. If you're feeling industrious/crafty, you can cut the shape out of plywood or particle board, and then cover it with a nice cute fabric that matches the room decor. I'm SO not that ambitious, though .

We need to put DS's window-covers up... spring seemed to come out of nowhere this year. Well, spring in the daylight sense. It was -5F when I left for work this morning .