Thinking bedtime is up and down game time!

[April2]

I hope someone can give me some ideas. I tried what Supernanny said but maybe I didn't try long enough or something. It just hasn't worked yet.
My 4 year old used to go to bed great. We'd have him go potty, brush his teeth, read him a book, say prayers and then turn out the lights, turn on his nightlite and then leave. It was great.
The last two weeks he's been running back out of the room laughing or popping his head out and saying "Boo!" and laughing. We've been firm and put him back time and time again, each time more sternly. I hate to spank him and rarely do it but I thought maybe he'd take me serious if I spanked him for getting out of bed but that didn't work either. He kept laughing. It didn't phase him. I tried it a couple of times but he just laughed. You have no idea how frustrating this is! He's not taking us seriously.
Tonight we tried to keep putting him back in bed over and over like I saw on Supernanny but this went on for more than an hour and we were getting tired and frustrated.
I know he's tired by bedtime but he'll start pinging off the walls sometimes. It's like he gets all wound up. I tried to get him to look me in the face to speak firmly to him and he was just all over the place.
I try to give him a pretty healthy diet. I was gone all day today and asked my husband what he fed him and he gave him 3 Popsicles this afternoon, which I wasn't happy about. He also got take out Chinese food for dinner. I just wonder sometimes if he's acting like this because he's reacting to something he's eating. Or is this normal 4 year old behavior?
I really want him to mind and be a good boy and I don't understand why he's being like this. I just don't want it to go on too long or get out of control.
Any ideas?

[matzchevy]

I came to this website because I am having the same problem with my 3 1/2 yr old girl. We have tried everything to get her to stay in bed and most nights she won't. She goes in phases were she sleeps well and then she doesn't. Last night she was so tired she had those dark circles under her eyes. It only took a half hour to get her to stay in bed, but then she woke up around 2 and didn't fall back to sleep until 6 this morning. I wish I had some advice, but it does help knowing I'm not the only one. I believe it is a phase that children go through. Good Luck.

[margypops]

I guess I mean ball games small boys do like to kick a ball around like soccar, but I am sure going to the park with Dad is good enough, hes outside, you could ask your Doctor if it could be food related as possibly some kind of allergy, they used to say anything sugary and sweet got children wired am not certain if they still believe that now,do they have physical games where the children can let of steam" at pre school? is he like this every night or only some nights? perhaps a pattern will emerge ,it will probably go away soon, they grow and change so fast ...

[April2]

I know, and we tried that. We kept putting him back to bed over and over without talking to him but it was taking all night and he was still pinging around and acting like it was all a game.
He's only 4. I'm not sure he's ready for sports yet. My husband took him to the park yesterday but I guess he didn't get worn out enough. He does go to preschool 4 times a week. He'll act tired around dinner time but then he seems to get a second wind around bedtime and he'll be pinging.
I know I don't want to react to bad behavior and I really don't want to spank him. I was just trying different things trying to figure out what would work and how to get him to listen and mind. I don't want him to think bedtime is game time. It's getting old not getting him to settle down until 10pm or so. That's just too late for such a little guy. I know he needs his sleep. So do we! This is wearing us out too.

[margypops]

Perhaps make sure he is getting plenty of physical activity during the day , yes ,I do believe they go through a more active stage at this age , I also dont believe punishing and spanking is the answer,quite the reverse as it is feeding the problem. Get Dad involved in Sports and outside games, how about school is he stimulated enough there or does he sit around a lot. It does sound as if you react at his behavior and possibly ignoring it would help as if you are paying him attention then he will do it for just that. Focus on his positive side, when he gets up at night I think Supernanny meant that you do not talk to him and you quietly take him back to his room over and over, without paying him the extra attention  do not give up,