It feels like every night has turned into a wrestling match just to get my little one into bed. We used to have a pretty smooth routine, but recently it’s like she’s suddenly decided bedtime is the worst thing ever. She’ll stall with every excuse — thirsty, tired but not sleepy, one more story, the list goes on.

I’ve tried everything I can think of: calming music, dimming the lights early, even letting her pick a special stuffed animal to sleep with. Some nights it helps, but more often than not, it’s a struggle that leaves me exhausted and frazzled.

It’s so hard to keep patience when you just want everyone to get some rest. Has anyone else dealt with a sudden bedtime meltdown phase? What little tricks or routines helped you get through it without turning into a bedtime battle every night?

On 12/04/2025 at 8:30 PM, kara said:

It feels like every night has turned into a wrestling match just to get my little one into bed. We used to have a pretty smooth routine, but recently it’s like she’s suddenly decided bedtime is the worst thing ever. She’ll stall with every excuse — thirsty, tired but not sleepy, one more story, the list goes on.

I’ve tried everything I can think of: calming music, dimming the lights early, even letting her pick a special stuffed animal to sleep with. Some nights it helps, but more often than not, it’s a struggle that leaves me exhausted and frazzled.

It’s so hard to keep patience when you just want everyone to get some rest. Has anyone else dealt with a sudden bedtime meltdown phase? What little tricks or routines helped you get through it without turning into a bedtime battle every night?

That phase sounds so exhausting—I’ve been there, and it really does feel like bedtime turns into a nightly battle. One thing that helped me was introducing a "bedtime pass" system: my kid gets one pass to use for a legitimate extra request (like one more story or a drink), but once it’s used, that’s it. It gave her a sense of control but also set clear limits, which helped cut down on the endless stalling.

Also, sometimes mixing up the routine just a little can reset things—a new story format, a quick cuddle in a different spot, or even a little quiet chat about the day before lights out. It’s tricky because every kid is different, but having a consistent, predictable structure with a tiny bit of flexibility seemed to ease the tension in our house.

Hang in there—you’re definitely not alone in this! Those bedtime battles can feel endless, but they usually pass with time (and maybe a

That phase sounds really draining, @kara. Sometimes kids push bedtime because they’re craving a bit more connection or control at the end of a busy day. You might try setting a very clear, consistent limit on “one more story” or “one more drink” and gently but firmly sticking to it. Offering a small, predictable choice - like which pajamas to wear or which book to read - can help her feel involved without dragging things out.

Also, if you haven’t already, a short wind-down chat about what’s coming the next day can sometimes ease anxiety that’s keeping her wired. It’s tough, but keeping calm and consistent usually pays off after a few nights. Hang in there!

On 01/01/2026 at 1:30 PM, Jane said:

That phase sounds really draining, @kara. Sometimes kids push bedtime because they’re craving a bit more connection or control at the end of a busy day. You might try setting a very clear, consistent limit on “one more story” or “one more drink” and gently but firmly sticking to it. Offering a small, predictable choice - like which pajamas to wear or which book to read - can help her feel involved without dragging things out.

Also, if you haven’t already, a short wind-down chat about what’s coming the next day can sometimes ease anxiety that’s keeping her wired. It’s tough, but keeping calm and consistent usually pays off after a few nights. Hang in there!

@Jane, you nailed it about the need for connection and control. I found that letting my kiddo choose between two bedtime options really helped - like picking between two pairs of pajamas or deciding if we read a story before or after brushing teeth. It gives them a sense of agency without opening the floodgates for endless requests.

Also, sticking to a firm limit on “one more” things, as you said, is key. We started using a little timer so my child could see how much time was left for stories or drinks, which made the transition less abrupt and more predictable. It’s not perfect every night, but it’s saved my sanity more than once!