Isn't it normal to have a hard time getting your toddler to bed?

Question

Okay, so my daughter is 3.5, and it seems like every night is a struggle to get her to go to bed. We do a good bedtime routine -- bath, books, then storytelling, cuddles, etc.

But after that, she comes for one more hug and kiss for both of us. Then she has to go potty. And then she wants a glass of water. So on and so on and so on.

My husband thinks she's terribly behaved and is fed up with this, night after night. I assume it's par for the course. She does go to sleep, eventually. lol

It IS normal, isn't it? Or does everyone's toddler go to bed easily?

Answer 1

It's normal for them to TRY and do that, but it is up to you as the parent to put your foot down and tell her enough is enough.  If you don't, it will continue, and get worse.  You are the parent, you tell her it's time for bed and no more getting up.  It will probably take a few nights, but she'll figure out that she's no longer in control.  And your daughter is not a toddler, she's almost 4 years old.  

Answer 2

From what I have read its normal.  They procrastinate and prolong the inevitable.  Make sure all of these things are done before bed and then just keep taking her back to bed.  She is not terribly behaved as your husband says, its just normal toddler behaviour.  I have a 15 month old and expect all of this in the next 12 months or so.  My friend's toddler is EXACTLY like this...dont think that all other toddlers are perfect, they are not.  Some go to bed easily but I think those ones are in the minority.  

Answer 3

as long as you allow her to come out and give her the extra kisses unfortunately, she is going to continue to do it. my son is 2 and most days he just goes to bed, grabs his blankie and we say our prayers and sometimes i read him a book... he has his nights where he throws a little fit but we dont play into it, we say im sorry it is night night time i love you and we will see you tomorrow. be firm & loving of course! ;)

Answer 4

Yes, it is. I have a daughter that is about to be 2 years old. And i've heard that during the night when we are bout to put our kids to sleep is when they mostly let there energy out.  

Answer 5

Perfectly normal. She may outgrow it or just may always be one of those kids that has a hard time settling for the night. Sometimes I think they just want the assurance that we are still there and they also are afraid they're missing something fun!

We used to give our dd kisses in her hand and then close her hand, saying "Kisses to keep in case you need them in your sleep."

We kept a sippy cup of water by her bed so she couldn't use a glass of water as an excuse.

The potty - well, can't really say no to that. Just make it not much fun. When she does get up, be very matter of fact about it and try to give her as little attention as possible.

Answer 6

it is normal for them to get up and down..but they are also trying to see what they can get away with when they do this..therfore you need to be firm with her aout going to bed and staying...if she gets up once..make sure she has her water, she goes potty and get one last hug and kiss..after that she is out of excuses...just keep firm with her..she will eventually get the idea that bedtime is bedtime..nothing else..hope this helps..good luck hun

Answer 7

Well, if it's normal then I guess my child is abnormal because he doesn't do the up and down or arguing about bed.  He's had a bed time routine since the day he came home. It's been tailored to change a little bit as he has grown but it's foundation has stayed the same.

Around 7:00 every night we start winding down and putting away toys and finishing the last cup of milk for the night. Then we do bedtime bath, brush teeth, potty, pjs and then a couple bed time stories. Then he gets tucked in with his teddy bear, we blow kisses.  Usually within 10 minutes of going down he's out until morning.  If he does wake up or fuss in the middle of the night it's usually because he's teething and it's hurting him or he doesn't feel well.  

My son is 17 months old.  He's had the same routine since day 1 (although the go potty and brush our teeth at bed time has been added as he's grown :)   Maybe I'm lucky to have it that easy, but he's a pretty compliant little fellow.  :)  

Answer 8

Well, my daughter doesn't like to go to bed, but once she's there, she stays there. It still amazes me, but we're only a month out of her transition from her crib, so she may yet outgrow this. She literally stays in bed until we open her door in the morning. She used to run to bed, but we took away bedtime bottles, so she has been fighting it a little bit. I'll tell her it's bedtime and she runs out to give dad a goodnight kiss, then follows me into her room, she whimpers a little bit but climbs into bed. Once the door closes she wails a little bit(decreases every night) but she goes to sleep. We make sure she has a sippy cup with just water in it in case she gets thirsty, but my rule is that once she's in her room for bedtime, she stays there. Period. Lol, her dad says I'm a meanie, but that's my rule and I'm sticking to it. I don't care if she wants to get up and do jumping jacks or whatever, but as long as she stays in her room it's ok. We make sure we do all her things before bed(she's still in diapers but she sits on the potty until she pees or falls asleep there, which has yet to happen), she gets water to take with her, and she gets kisses from us both if dad's not at work. But to me, that's going to bed easy.

Good luck!