Bedtime Tantrums

Hello S.: I raised five children, all are in their 30s now. I had a couple who had night time tantrums, plus a couple of grandkids that did the same thing. Here is what I did. When it was bedtime and the child started having their "fits," I would join in with them. I'd cry and lay on the floor and kick and do everything they did. They would see me doing this and start laughing every time. I'd whine and just go off with them and they stopped. At first they might hit at you, but you hit at the air but simulate their actions.

Let me know what happens. I have more advice if you need it.
N.

Do you have a bedtime routine. My son puts up a fight even though we have a routine. I put him to bed even if he's crying. If he's still crying in 10 minutes I go check on him and reassure him. If I have to go in more than once I don't say anything and just put him to bed. He usually does not cry, but once in a while when he wants to stay up he will. I hope that helps.

S., we found that a one-hour quiet time before bed usually helps. We read in the living room for half an hour, then take a longish "gentle" bath, then read bedtime stories - the same four books every night(!) - in the bedroom. I don't believe in letting a child cry itself to sleep, so if she cries after I leave her I go straight back in, hug her and then leave again. I don't encourage any kind of communication after the first time back into her room. Hope this helps.

I haven't read the book yet (my daughter is only 4 months), but "The Happiest Toddler on the Block" is supposed to help work through how to deal with tantrums and how to communicate with your toddler. I read "The Happiest Baby on the Block" and felt all of the author's (also a peditrician) advice really helped. I plan to read the Toddler book in few months.

Good Luck!

--P.

http://www.thehappiestbaby.com/

Hi S.,

My daughter had the same problem. I found a night time bath and then right afterwards a stroller or wagon ride helped a lot. Good luck, I know it's hard dealing with this by yourself. I know it's not the same but my husband works the graveyard shift so I'm with my daughter from 3:00pm to 7:30am. At times I get frustrated so I guess the walk helps me too :)

Jen

My advice is to try an earlier bedtime. With my little one if we can get her to bed before she gets really fussy the betime rountine seems to go more smoothly. Good luck.