early morning wake up: wwyd?

jess545

Both of my kids lately like to wake up at the crack of dawn (515-5:45) DD used to sleep until 6:30-7. 

I am not sure if there is anything i can even do. We use the room darkening shades, both have a white noise sound. We have done the same bedtime routing since they were babies.

With DD im struggling b/c she is in b/w naps and no naps phase so if she does nap she will sleep for about 2 hrs and then her bed time is 8:00pm but she doesnt fall asleep until closer to 8:30-9pm. and she will still wake up at 6am. However is she doesnt nap betime is 7-7:30 and she wakes up at 5:30-6am 

 In you opinion should i cut out the naps all together and try putting her to bed later or earlier? Also i know they say some kids just dont require as much sleep but she is soo tired and grumpy a few hours after waking up that i feel like she needs to get more sleep!

 Thanks 

AgrippaRidesAgain

DS did this for a while last summer.  I told him that if it's not sunny outside, then it's not morning, and he's not allowed to get up, LOL.

Some people use one of these instead:  https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Childrens-Alarm-Clock-Nightlight/dp/B002RNKOM2

When the clock face is green, they can get up.  When it's red, stay in bed.

jlw2505

But the teach me time clocks - set the alarm for the earliest that they can wake up and the clock will turn green.  If the clock is not green, tell your kids they can't get out of bed (unless they need to go potty).  I would either cut out the nap or let your child sleep for 30-60 mins vs the 2 hours and see if that helps.  We are going through that some thing with our younger DD and its a hard phase as some days she really does need the sleep but waking her after 30 mins for us, doesn't throw off her bedtime routine but gives her just enough rest to make it through the rest of the day.  I would aim for 10-12 hours total sleep for your kids between nighttime and naps (if they still nap).  My almost 6 year old still has a 1 hour quiet time in her room on weekends and at school in her PreK class and it works great - she rests but never sleeps but the downtime is wonderful.

flyingsaucer

We use a clock as well.  It has a rabbit on it that is either sleeping or awake.  DS has to stay in bed and play or read until the rabbit "wakes up", which we have set at 7am.  Works wonders!

jsugrin

I'd cut the nap for consistency.  That is such a hard phase between the nap/no nap phase and as parents of course we don't want to lose it, especially if your younger one naps at the same time, but her body may be out of wack not really knowing how much night time sleep it needs.  I'd cut the nap, put her to bed around 6:30-7 for the first week (if she's still waking at 6 or earlier) and start a quiet time in her room.  Give her some books, quiet toys and let her know she has to stay on her bed but can read and play quietly, if she gets too loud you'll have to take away the toys ect.  If she falls alseep during quiet time I'd wake her after 30 min so you don't ruin bedtime.

I'd also get one of the wake up clocks and work on her staying at least in her room if not in bed until 6:30 ect.