Bedtime has become a total battle lately

Our 4-year-old used to be a pretty chill sleeper, but over the last month bedtime has turned into a full-on standoff. We start with the usual routine - bath, story, brushing teeth - but then it drags on forever with requests for water, one more story, or suddenly needing to pee again. It’s exhausting and feels like we’re stuck in this loop every single night.

We’ve tried setting a timer, offering small rewards for going to bed on time, and even adjusting the bedtime by 15 minutes earlier and later to see if it helps, but nothing seems to stick. I get that some of this is normal toddler stuff, but it’s really wearing us down.

Has anyone else been through this phase? What helped you get back to a smoother bedtime without a lot of tears or tantrums? Would love any tips or tricks that worked in your house!