Sleep issues with 8 yr old DSS.

[Redshoes7]

DP and I have 8 yr old DSS every weekend. DSS's mum is a Disney mum and lets DSS pick his own bed time, sleep on the couch if he feels like it, doesn't tuck him in, encourages him to stay up all night if he feels sick etc.

DP and I have bed times, read a book, give DSS kisses and tuck him in. His behaviour is getting progressively worse because he has expectations learnt from his mum.
He uses every excuse in the book and is getting up 6 to 10 times, up until 3am. Last night we had 6 separate excuses.
He has a night light, he has soft music or relaxation sounds if needed. The room is definitely his space - his posters, toys, blankets.

We've been living with this set up for 2 years so it's not something he's only just put onto him.

Any other advice on keeping him in bed or without alienating an 8 year old who gets exactly what they want at one house and hates that rules exist at the other house.

[wheresthelight]

don't engage. put him back to bed without speaking every single time and go over board with praise when he goes to bed on time without and arguement and again if he stays in his room all night.

when he learns he gets zero attention from getting up it should stop.

[stepmumnewname]

Have you tried a small reward, or even just lots of praise of he does manage to stay in his bed all night?. Some kids are just rubbish sleepers though, my DD has always found it really hard to get to sleep and often wakes in the night. She was 9 before she learnt to cope with being awake regularly in the night without waking me up to tell me she couldn't sleep. The GP recommended a cool bedroom and half an antihistamine to help her sleep if necessary.

And maybe don't expect him to sleep to early if he's used to a late bedtime at his mum's - you could try letting him have some quiet chill out time with a DVD or something before bed, should relax him and also give you and DP a bit of adult time that you're not easily going to get otherwise.

[stepmumnewname]

And you could try removing the night light or part-covering it so his room isn't too bright.