[redbonec]

Anyone else here have a night owl?

A few minutes ago at 10:00 p.m., we could still hear K talking in bed. We put her to bed about 9. My husband went to check on her, and she was laying down with her feet on the wall.

She doesn't get out of bed (thankfully), doesn't play, doesn't cry, anything, just doesn't go to sleep! I feel so bad that sometimes she is in there awake for up to 2 hours. Even sometimes after we have put her down, I think she has fallen asleep after a half hour, and go to check on her, she is still wide awake, just quiet.

We have a routine every night, from bath to lotion, to books, prayers, etc. is about 45 minutes. So, I would think plenty of time to wind down.
Hmmm, now that I have typed that, I realize K really doesn't wind up much to need to wind down. She is not a play hard type kid, more prefers a slower pace.

I have noticed that she will not fall asleep until at least 6, more times 7 hours after she wakes from her day nap. I finally have had to start waking her by 3 or 3:30, so she will go to sleep earlier. Today we woke her at 3:30 (she went down around 2) and here she is still awake at 10 p.m.

What are some good ways to burn energy later in the day, or after the nap? Our closest park is across the highway, so we don't go there every day (but did go tonight!) Any good outdoor activities in a yard? Or inside?

[minibus]

To burn off energy, our daughter walks up and down our yard, or kicks a ball around.

I have to say that I am TOTALLY envious of your night owl, though! We have an early bird! Our K is up between 5 and 5:30 am and NOT interested in being quiet/staying in her bed anymore. Crying as soon as she wakes up!

Is your daughter still on a 2 nap schedule? If she's on a 1 nap schedule, could you move her nap earlier? Our daughter does her nap from noon to 2 pm.

Also, if she's sleeping in later in the day, she will go to sleep later in the day, so if you wake her earlier, she will, over time, go to bed earlier (we saw this with our daughter).

[coolchick332]

yea I have this same issue with my kids. Giving them warm milk helps.

[redbonec]

Oooh--I feel for you at the 5 a.m. wake-up. Ouch.
She's not interested in balls, but maybe we can start hide and seek or tag at the house.

Warm milk, what a thought.

Thanks!