Getting them to SLEEP???

[libranbutterfly]

So, with Kamille starting kindergarten and Lexi going back to preschool, I am trying to get my girls to start going to bed earlier. I am afraid that they are just like me in that aspect. I remember being 5 and sitting in my dark room for hours because I just wasnt tired.

I have tried slowly moving bedtime up 10-15 minutes at a time, I have tried taking them to the park for a couple hours every day for 2 weeks, (they still stayed up) I have tried waking them up early no matter what time they finally went to sleep (and dealing with the aftermath of lack of sleep the next day ) and even combining them all. My children are difficult by conventional standards anyway, and when they dont get enough sleep.......well, it is worse.

We have had a bedtime routine since Kamille was born (she has loosened up some, but before Lexi was born, there could be NO VARIATIONS! (DH had to hide on weekends because during the week he wasn't there ) I loved it because I knew she was comfy and happy, and she went to sleep within 10 minutes every night. Now, they stay up until at least 10:30 every night, NO MATTER what. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have just slightly over a month left, and I am desperate!

[clemrose]

Are they napping? We gave up naps with our daughter at 2.75 and that helped. She was exhausted for awhile but adjusted and would go down at 7 (we also had to institute a very strict routine).

Do they share a room? If so, could you try separate bedtimes so they aren't stimulating each other?

What are they eating before bedtime? Some kids need a snack before bed to top them off for sleep, some kids need an emptier stomach so they're digestion isn't keeping them up.

From what you said I'm assuming they stay awake in there room(s), rather than coming out? If they are coming out I would recommend little to no interaction other than putting them right back in bed (maybe say "night-night" or "back to bed" the first few times and then nothing).

[dachshundqueen]

Dimming household lights an hour before bedtime.

Blackout curtains.

Liquid cal mag citrate.

Fixed bedtime routine, no deviations. Standard wake up time.

Wear them out. More so than you've been doing now.

Liz