she's so tired

[PinkPaisley]

When i get home from work at 4:15 dd is going bonkers. She is soooo tired that she starts to go nuts around the house. she won't listen does things she shouldn't. I can tell she's exhausted from being in school all day (she's in Kindergarten all day) i can even see these red bags under her eyes.

Now I feel like after we have dinner I should give her a bath and put her to bed, but that's like 6:30 7:00 won't that be to early for her? What would you do in this situation.:sigh:

[theWrap]

Brenda, I have started putting Sam to bed earlier and earlier - especially now that it's darker outside by a decent time. Last night, he was in bed by 8:30 and I was out of there by 8:35 for the last time. Tonight, I'm trying to get him down a little bit earlier than that - my ideal is to have him asleep by 8:30, which means me leaving around 8:15.
If you can get Sadie down as early as just after dinner, I say go for it. The poor child is probably exhausted from her new schedule, and the longer she tries to tough it out, the worse it will be. I know Sam was a bear last night, after getting MORE sleep the night before. I think when their bodies start getting the sleep they need, they can be super-fussy at first because they are giving in to the tiredness, if that makes sense. But in the mornings, he's in a better mood and much more rested - I can tell.

So I say go for it, just be prepared that once she starts being a bit more rested, she might be ready to go down earlier in general.

[Heather]

What, is she getting up earlier now or something? If so, then yes, I'd definitely start putting her to bed earlier. Of course I have no idea what time a child her age should typically go down, but my kids have always gone to bed early. Cohen's bedtime had been 6:45-7:00 until just in the last few months when I've finally changed it to 7:30. Good luck!

[PinkPaisley]

What, is she getting up earlier now or something? If so, then yes, I'd definitely start putting her to bed earlier. Of course I have no idea what time a child her age should typically go down, but my kids have always gone to bed early. Cohen's bedtime had been 6:45-7:00 until just in the last few months when I've finally changed it to 7:30. Good luck!

I don't think it's her getting up earlier she wakes up on her own, I think it's just that she's in school for 8:15 to 2:30 and she's not use to it. Then when she get's home and see's Dylan all the she want's to do is play. I think by that time in the evening she's just running on fumes.

[PinkPaisley]

I just read this on the net

If a list of behavior was generated it would include the following: grumpy, irritable, short tempered, argumentative, cries more, hits and/or grabs more, whines, etc. An important addition to this list is hyperactivity. Many parents believe that their child is not tired until 10pm at night because the child is “bouncing of the walls” and are surprised to learn that this seemingly wide awake behavior is a classic sign of being tired. Although it seems counterintuitive, the body has a neurohormonal stress response in order to adapt and stay awake. This physiologic response increases levels of cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones help jolt the body so it is able to remain awake. The more overtired children become the more these hormones are released, thus making it increasingly difficult to fall asleep and perpetuating a cycle of poor sleep habits.

[Heather]

Oh yeah, i'd definitely say she's overtired. What time does she normally go to bed? I wouldn't make a drastic change, maybe start with just 30 minutes every few days until she seems better rested.

[PinkPaisley]

We try to put her down around 8:30.
I think we're going to do 8 or 7:30 and I think that's pushing it. I seriously think she needs to go at 6:30 but that would be crazy.

[Caitlin]

Will she lay down and nap after school? I can't remember, but I think my "sleep bible" says even school-aged kids need naps!

[PinkPaisley]

Will she lay down and nap after school? I can't remember, but I think my "sleep bible" says even school-aged kids need naps!

I thought of doing that but Dylan's around so that is never going to happen. Also, I just think if she takes one at that time than she'll be up really late.

But I really do think a nap at that time would be great.

[Ashley]

Tyler gets up to 8 to be at school by 8:30, so bedtime is 8- as in, lights out at 8 (he's in Pre-k, 5 days, until noon, so not as full of a day). He also lays down by 2:30 each day- if he's not acting too tired, then he just has quiet. Lily goes down at 8 as well, and has a huge nap in the afternoon, but she's a lot younger.

Is there a way she can lay down for a bit when she gets home from school? That may help, even a half hour or so? If not, then I would definitely try a slightly earlier bedtime. I know for us, if it was too early dh would never see the kids, but 8 pm seems to work well. Good luck! :support:

[Jojo]

Ugh...I keep telling DH that Matt needs to go to bed by 8 but he's like look at him!! He's so energetic...I'm like yes he's over tired!

Put her to bed early. See if she'll take to it. No harm in trying. :hug:

[Leah]

I would do quiet time (laying down in her room) when she gets home from school, even if she doesn't want to sleep just resting may help. I would try a 7:30 bedtime to start and see how that works, maybe even 7pm on school nights if she is really tired and doesn't take a nap.