all of a sudden one is scared of the dark, what do I do?
I have to stagger their bedtimes as it is, because they won't sleep if I don't, just mess around. So now the younger one takes AGES to get to sleep, crying and complaining about the dark and the other one goes to bed later than he should (he needs more sleep). I can't put the younger one to bed earlier because then he gets up at 5am and wakes up his brother to play.

ZombieKitten said:

PANDURITO said:

Okay, fine. But if that doesn't work:

PANDURITO said:

he has 2 nightlights already

I asked my mum to bring me back one of these

ZombieKitten said:

Now I can't sleep

PANDURITO said:

ZombieKitten said:

Just saw your profile pic

PANDURITO said:

Do they still nap?

luv4all7 said:

no

ZombieKitten said:

Gimme, ages and schedules.

luv4all7 said:

lol
the elder one is nearly 6 (goes to school) and the middle one is 4 1/2 (kindy 3 hald days per week)

And they won't go to sleep unless your in the room? What time do they go to bed? Is it consistent every night? Is there like a routine you follow b4 bed every nite? Did they CIO when they were younger?



(I have my fair share of issue's w/my son, that's why I'm asking)

luv4all7 said:

oh no, I don't have to be in the room! lol never have had to do that

luv4all7 said:

what does CIO mean?

JasmineFire said:

Cry it Out.

luv4all7 said:

oh my.

JasmineFire said:

Sounds harsh, but I didn't mean it too.

Do U have babies?

Well yanno how sometimes they tend to fite their sleep. Instead of catering them and rocking them to sleep, so that they learn to depend on U to fall asleep, they learn on their own. By fussing a little till they fall asleep.

I'm not gonna get in a Ferberizing debate w/anyone.

I have two kids. The first one was spoilt and I still have sleep issues with him. The second was put in her crib from day 1 and I've never had a problem. Is all.

luv4all7 said:

only eldest and youngest needed the controlled crying thing, the middle one sorted himself out by 7 weeks, but it's him that is being a pain at bedtime now. I have given him a special night light that is right behind his bedhead and told him with that on he will be safe, and taken out the bulb in the ceiling because he turns it on and wakes his brother in the middle of the night!

ZombieKitten said:

Oh no! You's think he wouldn't be so afraid since he has his older bro in the room. Maybe it's just a phase. I hope U get more sleep tonight!

luv4all7 said:

I think if I am firm with him he will realise this ploy to stay awake later won't work with me! I hope he will get over this quickly!

luv4all7 said:

no, i do not have any kids. thank the lord, because i am really not ready for them. parenting is such hard work and it seems like no one has the "right answers".

I don't get into debates about child rearing techniques like that because i have no friggin clue and i think that it's different for everyone. What works for one may not work for another and blah blah.

JasmineFire said:

U R rite! And I can tell that when your time come's you'll know the "rite" thing to do.

luv4all7 said:

let's hope so.

there are many things one can do and look into ... you mentioned having sleeping issues yourself lately yes ?

well of course your children would also then too

what is the fear based on ? is there monsters under the bed or in a closet ?

you could make a magical "monster away" repellent spray with lavendar essential oils and water in a spritz bottle ( lavender helps sleep !! ) and it may sound odd but change their routine some ... mix it up

do they watch to much TV = over active minds
are they not burning off energy with physical activity ?
have their eating habits changed ?
is there stress in their family ( mom and dad ) kids are like sponges they suck that up ...

there can be so many factors ya know

JasmineFire said:

you are EXACTLY right there is NO right answers ... each child is do different even siblings ...what worked on one may not work for the other ...

If the boys can't have their own room this issue won't resolve itself so easily.
Another thing you can try is a sleep mask. Here in the states, they sell them for kids (at least for girls) with kitten faces, things like that. Perhaps then the not afraid of the dark kid can get sleep, as well as the need the nightlight kid

Hide in the closet and then scare the bejesus out of him, that'll remedy the situation.