 | Spanking is inappropriate in this case. I'm not sure about locking her in either. That must be scary for a small child. But I do realize you are all feeling terrible and need a rest. First, don't lock her in or make a fuss, just put her back in her bed every time she gets up. It will be hard for you but worth it in the end. If she gets shouted at/punished etc. she will only get worse. If she is screaming in her bedroom, go in and make sure she is OK. If she is, tuck her in and give her a goodnight kiss but don't do anything else - just leave. My daughter used to do that too. She can scream for many hours at a tome but after we ignored it for a few weeks she gave up. We didn't have a baby that needed to sleep though. If she is not ready to go to bed until you do then keep her up. If she wants to get up at six she can. (I used to just get up with Ella and doze on the sofa. I was there if she needed me but parents have to sleep somtimes.) Eventually she will get tired and fight bedtime less. The trick is to avoid getting her excessively overtired or the bad mood makes the situation a thousand times worse. NO DAYTIME NAPS. If you need to sleep in the daytime ask a friend or a partner to take care of the kids or at least of your eldest if your baby will sleep. A rest for you will make things easier, but a nap for her will be a disaster at this stage. I can't emphasize this enough. Ella stopped taking naps on her own and I was worried as she would be foul by about 6pm, but it made bedtime, always a problem in our house, a huge amount better. I hope this helps. I don't know much about it, only what we have tried. |
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