4 Year Old Sleep Problems - Help Please

kirstle99

Hi All

I have 2 kids, DS1 (8yrs) and DS2 (4 1/2 years). DS2 started school this last September. I thought great, everything will be good with all the learning, he will be fine.

Well, since he started at school, DS2 has gradually become quite sensitive. By this I mean that if you tell him off he becomes very upset, especially at bedtime.

He has started to say he doesn't like his room. I asked him what specifically and all he could mention was that i'd changed his bedside light (I gave him his brother's old one because it has space pictures on it whereas his was plain).

He really doesn't like change. Even the slightest thing throws him off, so you can imagine all the changes because of Christmas have been overwhelming him.

He has always been a great sleeper though, ever since he was a baby. Until he started school he'd sleeo 7pm-7am not a problem. Now i'm lucky if he goes to sleep before half 8! I'm still taking him up at 7pm and doing bath, story, bed etc, but i'm thinking maybe I should put it back a little later? Maybe 7:30?

Does anyone have any advice because i'm really at my wits end as they have both always been good sleepers I feel quite out of my depth!

I will say, he has been asking to sleep with me and I have point blank refused and said he is a big boy with his own big boy bed and I will nto be backing down on that one.

Petra_70

Are there any things he likes that you could put more of in the room?

Like Toy Story or Shrek stuff or Lego or Star wars stuff? Depending on what he likes of course.

Something/anything that will make the room appealing to him?

kirstle99

He has the box room in the house so space is quite limited if you know what I mean. He loves dinosaurs and minions and he's got things for Christmas of that, I got him a grow clock and also a minion fibre optic night light thinking that would help (he was complaining his room as dark and has been asking to keep the door open but then he messes about).

I do stick to a routine at bedtime so he knows what is happening but he just seems really unsettled for some reason. He's really small for his age and seems to think this will get him anything he wants but I am pretty hot on not giving in.

I was wondering whether to give him a bath every night (currently he has one every other) so that is in place and maybe get him a little cd player as he has got a few audio books maybe I could sit and listen to with him in the dark instead of reading him a story?

whitewing

Maybe the idea of Santa has scared him. Or something else. My DD comes out with all sorts of things she has heard in the playground. Most of the time she doesn't believe it but she still seems to need reassuring a few times.

If he is getting too hot in his room, he may be having bad dreams.

meritaten

Is he just not sleepy? I think your instinct to delay bedtime could be right. try making it half hour later. he may also want more time with you as he doesn't see you during the day?

kirstle99

Thank you. Yes maybe he's heard something in the playground i'll try (tactfully) to see if he says anything, thank you

I think you're spot on with him wanting me - he's been very clingy the last few weeks, following me around the house, teary when told off, wants lots of cuddles. I think he's not used to me being off work too and is probably seeing how far he can get haha :-)

He never puts up too much of a fuss when I say it's bedtime, he gets into the routine, it's only literally the second I start walking out of the door he starts this playing up :-(

pigpen

He just sounds tired.. end-of-term-itis is a terrible disease..


The reception year they do get tired and really whiny and clingy and sensitive and wail over nothing... and then they get rude and cheeky..

Mine is the youngest in her year, shes just started year 1, and is doing the ignoring/rude/cheeky thing now..

If it has only been the last 2-3 weeks I'd just continue as normal, give him a bit of time to get out of the tiredness of school and see what he is like once they've gone back..

Reception year always turns lovely pleasant children into whiny snivelpaps.. but they out grow it eventually!

meritaten

pigpen wrote: »

He just sounds tired.. end-of-term-itis is a terrible disease..


The reception year they do get tired and really whiny and clingy and sensitive and wail over nothing... and then they get rude and cheeky..

Mine is the youngest in her year, shes just started year 1, and is doing the ignoring/rude/cheeky thing now..

If it has only been the last 2-3 weeks I'd just continue as normal, give him a bit of time to get out of the tiredness of school and see what he is like once they've gone back..

Reception year always turns lovely pleasant children into whiny snivelpaps.. but they out grow it eventually!

lol - my granddaughters must be the exception then! they love school and sign up for breakfast club and any after school activities they have! and get whiney in the holidays!

patanne

Once you are sure he is not being bullied, what about keeping his bedtime the same time but extending his story time. My son always used to like to have a story but also a 'story' about things like how a hovercraft works. Storytime does not have to be actual stories. It does sound like something is 'off' in his world - I hope you find out what it is very soon.

pigpen

meritaten wrote: »

lol - my granddaughters must be the exception then! they love school and sign up for breakfast club and any after school activities they have! and get whiney in the holidays!

One of the teachers in reception class has a daughter in nursery with my 4 year old, she said she is dreading her daughter turning into miss whingy as she has seen it with so many children.. Mine love school too, and complain when it is weekends.. they do all the activities and still whine constantly.. I am certain they are just tired and dealing with routine changes is all just too much at times.

I may swap mine for your granddaughters..