My 5-year-old used to go to bed pretty easily, but the last few weeks have turned bedtime into a stressful standoff every single night. She suddenly refuses to brush her teeth or put on pajamas, and then insists she’s not tired at all. I've tried sticking to our usual routine, reading her favorite stories, even giving her a little extra playtime before bed, but nothing seems to work.

It’s exhausting and honestly makes me dread the evenings. I want to be firm but gentle, and I’m worried this is turning into a power struggle neither of us wins. Has anyone else gone through this phase? What helped you get back to a peaceful bedtime without tears and tantrums?

On 01/05/2026 at 9:45 PM, PennySaver88 said:

My 5-year-old used to go to bed pretty easily, but the last few weeks have turned bedtime into a stressful standoff every single night. She suddenly refuses to brush her teeth or put on pajamas, and then insists she’s not tired at all. I've tried sticking to our usual routine, reading her favorite stories, even giving her a little extra playtime before bed, but nothing seems to work.

It’s exhausting and honestly makes me dread the evenings. I want to be firm but gentle, and I’m worried this is turning into a power struggle neither of us wins. Has anyone else gone through this phase? What helped you get back to a peaceful bedtime without tears and tantrums?

That sounds super frustrating, @PennySaver88. My kid went through a similar phase where bedtime suddenly became a battleground. What helped us was giving a tiny bit of control back to her - like letting her choose between two sets of pajamas or picking which toothbrush to use. It’s amazing how a small choice can make them feel more in charge and less resistant.

Also, sometimes kids just hit a phase where their internal clocks shift or they’re processing a lot emotionally, so pushing too hard can backfire. Maybe try a calm chat during the day about why bedtime is important, and reassure her it’s okay to feel not tired but still need rest. Hang in there, you’re definitely not alone in this!