Hello!

Every night without fail master 4 comes downstairs with every excuse under the sun. Hungry, sick, sore finger, needs to do a poo, forgot to finish colouring in, wants to see the dog… How do I get him to stay in bed? He is driving me insane. Bedtime is 7:30.


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  • Set the boundaries clear and respond in a short and neutral way; walk him straight back upstairs (unless he’s sick), any positive response is reinforcing his behaviour.
    I would start a reward chart


  • My kids are 6, 8 and 11 and they all still do this. I wish I knew the answer. I think some kids are just like this.


  • Have you tried a lavender bath or even puting a couple of drops on his pillow. It might relax him. Also my children never had any sweet things after dinner at night and we always read books too. If this does not work, I would try a reward chart with stickers. If he stays in bead he gets a sticker and every sticker he gets becomes closer to a treat (activity that he loves doing – like going to a special park or playcentre).


  • Yes we have a routine and he gets sent straight back…. It’s so hard, where is the manual they were born with lol he does not have day sleeps and on Fridays when he has swimming lessons I can tell the difference but he still puts up a fight. It’s exhausting.

    Thanks ladies for your help… I love the suggestion of a walk before bed time! Now that it’s not arctic weather conditions I will try this.


  • And make sure he is TIRED. not too many naps during the day and that he has done lots of exercise. Perhaps try one weekend where you walk all day and watch him sleep after that. Swimming can do it too and cycling and other outdoor active play. Then as part of the bedtime routine go for a walk with him before the 7:30pm bed time. Wear him out and see if that helps stop the getting out of bed!


  • Keep sending him straight back to bed. Have your night time/bedtime routine, perform it, tuck him in and say good night. When he gets up, March him straight back to bed, no conversation. And keep doing it. Unless he has a valid reason for getting up


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