I have fought ETC to bedtime for four consecutive nights (solo, I might add), and they’ve fallen asleep within minutes.
Bliss.
Except, OF COURSE I just now realize they have been overtired. And OF COURSE we’re leaving for a week out of town tomorrow.
Because it would be too easy to figure out the solution to a parenting problem when one can actually apply said solution, amirite?
Speaking of, with a 7-8 am to 7 pm day, how would you have addressed the overtiredness? Attempt a nap? Move bedtime up 30-60 minutes? You know, just in case it happens again.
Because I’m sure it will.
Depends on when the ugly rears. If at any time in early day they are acting tired then yes a nap. If it’s not until like 6 then move up bed time. But umm it’s kind of a crap shoot, right? I don’t know. Maybe try a nap around 12:30ish?
With my crew even a short nap would give them just enough energy to stay up half the night. So when they get like that I have no issues putting them to bed at 6pm or 6:30pm.
Naps every-other day work well here. Daily naps push bedtime back too far, but no naps bring out the demon child.
My 3 & 5 year old have about an hour and a half of down time every day. Sometimes they watch a move, sometimes they’ll look ats books, they can do anything quiet, but they have to do it while laying down. This happens almost every day after lunch. Then when they get up, its back to wearing them out playing so they’re ready for bed. Our daily resting time really helps us get through the evening. Then since it stays light so late, the earliest I can get them to bed is 9:00.