17 excuses all kids give for not going to sleep
Louisa Sherlock
Contributing EditorYou’ve got to hand it to them … kids can be VERY creative, especially when it comes to finding ways to avoid bedtime.
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Which means even though you’ve got them in their rooms at a reasonable hour, they have absolutely no intention of going to sleep.
How many of these ‘Mummy, I can’t sleep!’ excuses do you recognise?
1. ‘I’m not even tired’
This is usually the first excuse to be rolled out and is the one that makes your heart sink.
Because even though your child is yawning and rubbing their eyes, they're prepared for the bedtime battle.
Sigh, might as well pause Netflix … it’s going to be a looooong evening ahead.
2. ‘I need a wee’
Yes, they did go literally five minutes ago. But now they're in bed, they REAAAAAAALLY need to go again.
Honestly, you wish they were this keen on going to the loo in the daytime.
3. ‘I need my light on’
Aah, the old ‘it’s too dark/ too light’ excuse.
This one can be solved with a nightlight, putting paid to at least one of their excuses.
Woo hoo, 1-0 to Team Parents!
4. ‘I need one more cuddle Mummy’
Aww, you love cuddles with your little one. In the day.
But at 9pm when they're refusing to go to sleep? Not so much.
5. ‘I’m hungry’
So are you, given you’ve not had a chance to eat yet. Your child has had dinner so you know they\re just stalling for time.
And if this excuse doesn’t work, they’ll follow it up with …
6. ‘I’m thirsty’
They won’t be if they just Go. To. Sleep.
7. ‘I haven't kissed Daddy’
Your child has dragged out the mummy cuddles for as long as they can.
So they move on to the next sleep-dodging ploy: asking for daddy kisses.
On the plus side, at least it means your partner can take over and try getting them to sleep.
8. ‘I need to tell you something’
Cue the start of a very random – and very long – story about their book/ toy/ teddy. Honestly, it’s enough to send you to sleep.
9. ‘There are too many toys in my bed’
Bear in mind these are the toys they spent ages hunting for BEFORE bed, insisting they couldn’t sleep without them.
When this doesn’t stall sleep time, they’ll always follow it up with, ‘Muuuuuuuuummy, there aren’t enough toys in my bed.’
Just as you sit down on the sofa.
10. ‘There's a monster in the wardrobe’
This one makes you feel instantly bad, bringing back your own memories of monsters under the bed as a child.
Until you rush upstairs to comfort them and are met with a big smile. Grrrrr.
11. ‘I’m hot’
Or cold. Doesn't matter which, they’ve got you off the sofa again AND they are still awake. One point to them. Gah.
12. ‘I can’t find my teddy’
AKA, the words that strike fear in every parent’s heart.
You know your child can’t sleep without their favourite teddy. Cue a mad search around your home until you find it buried under the sofa cushions.
Hmm, they wouldn’t have hidden it on purpose would they?
13. ‘My doll's looking at me funny’
‘Well it wouldn’t if you just shut your eyes and went to SLEEP’, is what you want to say.
Instead you promise to take the doll away, which seems to comfort your child. For now.
14. ‘I need to ask you something’
Prepare to be bombarded with a series of questions ranging from ‘What are we doing tomorrow?’ to ‘How many days is it until Christmas?’ and ‘What is a heart made of?’
You’re secretly impressed with their stalling techniques. And now need to Google the answers for yourself.
15. ‘I’ve had a bad dream’
Even though they’ve literally just got into bed and definitely haven’t slept.
16. ‘I need to phone Grandma’
This is the same Grandma your child refuses to speak to when you phone her in the day. Mainly because they're far too distracted by their toys or the TV.
17. ‘I’m tired’
Possibly the most ridiculous excuse your child gives for not going to sleep. And one you’re pretty sure you used when you were little.
Zzzz, you don't know about your child but you're TOTALLY ready to go to sleep.
A light projector can help to distract little ones at nighttime and keep them in bed – we like this one that will shine a starry sky across your child's ceiling. See more details here at Amazon.
What excuses do your kids give for not going to sleep? Share them with other parents in the forum below …
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