My 6 Year Old Refuses To Go To Bed!?

Question

I have a little girl that is very busy during the day. She swims on a team 3 times a week at a one hour practice and during the day her school changes classes to 4 teachers. She is over tired. I teach so I get her and we are home by 3:30pm, we eat dinner very early so after swim at 6pm she is ready for a bath and bed, the other days, she does homework, watches t.v. and/or plays on Barbie on the computer. Believe me, this kid is tired. But she throws a holy h**l tantrum when I try to get her in bed on time. Going into bed with her causes her to talk up a storm. Reading with her causes her to grab the book from me and then throw a fit if we don't read more than one book, a movie won't put her to sleep. What in heavens do I do?

Answer 1

maybe she is hungry

Answer 2

I was the same as a kid. My poor parents. What my mom did was just require that at bed time I go to my room, lay in bed, and not come out. I was told that I didn't have to sleep. I felt like I was being left out because no one else had to go to bed when I did, I was an only child at the time. I did stay in bed but I screamed until I passed out nearly every night. Do your bedtime routine, bath, book, bed or whatever it is and then just let her scream if that's what she wants. No coming out of the room. Have consequences for her fits. For example if she leaves her room or tosses the book she will lose screens(tv, computer, games..) the next day after school or maybe she won't get a book anymore at all if she can't behave correctly.

Answer 3

It sounds like you need to assert your authority.  Most kids her age don't want to go to bed and they are surprisingly creative  when it comes to finding ways to stay up.  I would be more concerned about the fact that she is verbally and physically aggressive with you on this or any issue.  You shouldn't tolerate that type of behavior regardless of what you are asking her to do.  My son still tries to "negotiate" with me, but at the end of it when my mom voice kicks in (that's a low tone, I'm serious voice) he knows it over.  The reason I have that kind of control in the situation is be cause he respects my judgment.  Why? Because for as long as he can remember, if I made something an issue (hygene, food, sleep, education, safety, exercise, generousity, graditude) I always followed through and imposed consequesnces for not listening.  You absolutely should have consequences for her "trantrum".  Loss of Barbie, loss of computer, loss of free time.  You have to be firm.  Prepare her ahead of time.  Say "bed time is going to be at 8pm from now on - We will start getting ready for bed at 7:30 - when I say it's time to lay down that will be it" Say this in a low firm voice.  Then decide what the consequence will be if she acts out.  "If you get out of bed or act out in any way you will not be allowed to use the computer tomorrow" (or whatever) Keep the consequences short and sweet (no you can watch TV for a week).  Then you absolutely have to follow through.  Even if her computer time is your alone time.  If she decides to have the tantrum, just walk away and completely ignore her.  If you acknowleg her during this time you're letting her win.  Walk away and let her cry herself to sleep, then follow through with the punishment.  I can assure you that this is not about sleep this is about her controlling you.  Just stop the whole thing by not participating.  Good luck hang tough....

Answer 4

Pull a supernanny!

http://www.supernanny.com/Advice/-/Super...

Answer 5

this always worked when i was little. get a real serious look on your face and go, "by the time i get to three, you better be in bed. 1.....2.....," and usually, they are in bed by the time you get to 2. hope this helps!

Answer 6

Maybe you should explain to her that she is overly tired and that you recognize this is a problem. Tell her that if we can't get to bed on time that she will have to forfeit some activities so she won't be so tired. You can also tell her that privileges and activities are earned with compliance and good behavior, not just given and she must handle her responsibilities to earn those things she cherishes.  

Answer 7

Turn off the television and the computer at least a half hour before her bedtime.  As a teacher you should be aware of the studies that have shown that television/computer tend to cause sleep disorders/deprivation in children.  These disorders can cause crankiness at bedtime, and eventually develop into problems in school and poor grades.  The swim is great because it's exercise just before bed and a warm bath aids in relaxation.  On the nights she swims I suggest keeping all electronic entertainment devices (except for "quiet music) off and allow her to retain that relaxation.  

Answer 8

Perhaps we have her over scheduled and thus overly tired??  Almost sounds like maybe this has nothing to do with sleep and everything to do with her pushing you around.  What you're doing isn't working. Change the schedule.  Eat dinner and go take a walk, slow down your life and simply talk, etc... 6:00 seems awfully early for bed anyway

EDIT

It should certainly stand to reason to any intelligent person that activity that STIMULATES the brain before bedtime is going to tend to KEEP a child awake    i.e.  Video games, computers, TV............ She should be off the computer at least 2 hours before bedtime. Helk, my youngest is almost 16 and we have a rule that he is off the computer by 8 on school night as we want him in bed by 10.