Sleep deprivation/disruption is literally killing our sanity, sex life and marriage!

Anon Imperfect Mum

Sleep deprivation/disruption is literally killing our sanity, sex life and marriage!

Sleep deprivation/disruption is literally killing our sanity, sex life and marriage!
We have 3 kids under 5. The eldest 2 are driving my husband and I insane. They are 4 & 3. We have always stayed beside them until they fall asleep (in their own rooms). For the past few months, 4yr old will come into our room every 1 to 2 hours! We take him back to bed, lay with him till he goes to sleep, then we do it again an hour or so later. Now the 3yr old has started this too.
So our house is like musical beds. Sometimes I’m in our bed, hubby stays up later, he intercepts child, ends up in child’s bed. 3yr old comes in to me, I take 3yr old back, lay down, get back up and go to my bed, sometimes hubby is there, sometimes the 4yr old, and around we go ALL NIGHT EVERY NIGHT. Suffice to say we are getting increasingly less sleep, hubby and I are always cranky and exhausted. Kids are a bit out of sorts.
They go to bed at about 7pm every night, same routine as forever. This all started when the eldest started wearing undies to bed and would start when wakes for the toilet. Now it is purely habit. Thank goodness little princess sleeps ALL night. So far.
We are desperately seeking other people’s success stories and or idea’s on how we can put an end to this. Please no obvious comments about how it’s our fault. We know and own it. We need constructive help that will work. Thanks

Posted in:  Kids

4 Replies

Anon Imperfect Mum

My honest answer is no longer staying with them until they fall asleep. Back to own beds and stay there, then you leave. Toilet then bed. Then you leave. No talking, no eye contact. Just a kiss, hug, goodnight and leave

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Anon Imperfect Mum

Is them sharing a room a possibility? I was a horrible sleeper as a kid I slept much better when one of my siblings slept in the other bunk bed

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Anon Imperfect Mum

My suggestion would be to not stay with the kids until they go to sleep. Keep the normal night routine - teeth, toilet, book - whatever it may be, kisses goodnight and leave. If they get up, straight back into bed (or toilet and back to bed if needed). It will take some persistence and probably tears but in the long run it will become the new routine and be a lot better for you if they can self soothe. If you don't want to go cold turkey leaving them then put them to bed then sit on the side of the bed until they're asleep, next night sit on the floor next to the bed, each night move further away until you're no longer in the room. Good luck! Hopefully you have a household of sleepers soon x

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Anon Imperfect Mum

Id stop staying with them until they are asleep. Teach them that they can resettle themselves now.

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