I have a four year old and a 20 month old that share a room. This is ok, except that my youngest wakes up at 5:20 am every morning. Because I don't want my older son to wake up, I run get him even though its still dark outside. My husband and I are exhausted with this routine even though we take turns. He refuses to go back to sleep even if we try to get him to lay down with us. If I had an additional bedroom, I would just let him cry until it was time to wake up, but I don't. Any suggestions?
Sleep begets sleep. What time is your 20 month old going to sleep at night? It may be that he is going to bed too late and that by putting him to bed earlier (surprising but often true) he will sleep in later. We have a little early riser too and it seems like the later he goes to bed the earlier he gets up. Good luck!
wow. 5:20 is early! my little boy is almost three, he'll get out of bed (big boy bed) and walk around the house turning on lights and playing. he sometimes wakes at 6am, I tell him mr. sun isn't up. I know that's NOT 5:20, but I almost feel your pain.
do you have a pack n play? my idea is to put that in your bedroom and when he wakes too early put him there with bed things and tell him it's not time to wake up yet. maybe he'll get the idea and either settle and play quietly, nap or figure out it's not much fun and start sleeping later. I don't know that that will work, but that's my idea! hope it helps!
Is the twenty month old crying or just awake? Sometimes they go through active sleeping and if left alone will put themselves back to sleep. I know how you feel about one waking the other up. My two boys ages 4 and 17 months sleep in separate rooms, but I run a huge large fan in between their rooms for background noise. I have found that it is really helpful for my sanity as well as for theirs. Let me know what you think.
J.
What time is his last meal - and what time is he going to bed?
