2 1/2 year old not sleeping!

[corrielidsey]

Need some advice if anyone can help please!
My daughter is now 2 1/2 and since the long days in summer started she has been a nightmare to get to sleep at bedtime.
She will make all the usual excuses will most nights do a poo so u have to change her, screaming to an unbeliveable high pitch (which drives me round the bend!), play for hours i her room, open the door stand there and shout at me and daddy, throwing toys out the room so i have on 2 nights taken all her toys out her room i know that sounds awful but just dont see any other way.

Last night was bad she kicked off so much there is no getting through to her you can do it calmly or if we are at the end of our tether will loose pur temper. Obvs we are learning like she is as shes our first.
Shes over tired most days so full of stropyness, shouting and screaming.
We have a routine so dinner, bath, bed with milk and a story then kiss and cuddle night night. Will start straight away or upto 45mins after putting her to bed. This can go on and on for up to 2 1/2 hours after putting her to bed.

we brought a groclock to help but that doesnt seem to help at all.
Taking its toll on all of us as we are all tired!

[carolinementzer]

My DD is a nightmare to get to sleep when she's over tired. We discovered a few techniques that help her get ready for bed that may be of help to you. Firstlly - the sleep inducing acupressure point - calms a busy mind - here's the info - mydaughterwontsleep.com/2013/12/27/the-sleep-inducing-power-of-acupressure/

Also we give her a cup of herbal tea about an hour before bed which helps her chill out in time for bedtime. mydaughterwontsleep.com/2014/07/12/3-herbs-that-help-your-child-sleep-better/

Also a reward system worked well for us - e.g. jar with little toys inside - she got to chose one in the morning if she slept well etc.
Anyway, just a few ideas for you. Good luck!!

[corrielidsey]

Thank you i will defo try those techniques! I havent heard of giving children herbal tea before but if it works that would be wonderful.

[SisterMoonshine]

Oh chamomile tea sounds like it could be worth a shot. Although the jar of toys idea could be more likely to win my DD over.
She hates sleep. In fact she always has really: she wakes up cross that she slept, like she might have missed something.
Lately I've been lying down with her in the evenings while she plays some sort of game of 'loser goes to sleep'.