I love the idea of a run, followed by a bath and reading till your eyes drop most. I agree as well that plenty of sunlight during the day for your body to produce melantonin and reduce of junk and sweets. Routine and no screen time is important too (even for us adults).

Apart from your son’s sleeping habit had there been anything out of the ordinary happen around the time that started. My cousin’s toddler daughter started going to sleep Ok but woke up during the night at almost exactly the same time. You didn’t need an alarm clock. They took her to the Dr. who after giving her a thorough checkup, blood tests etc. came to the conclusion that her “body clock” had from some reason lost its rythm. They had to give her some special mixture at the same time each night – start it slowly, give it to her for a set length of time, then wean her off. When she got close to sleeping all night they weaned her off it earlier than they were told. It was prescibed by the GP and it was a herbal remedy. Later they went through the stage of night terrors. They were told that little ones go through the stage of developing a very vivid imagination.

Have you tried the SmilingMind website?

Try lots of outdoor, busy activity during awake hours. Basically wear them out. Then try having a routine. Eg bath time, tea time, TV time, brush teeth then off to bed. Read them a story, keep things calm and quiet. I hope this helps

Exercise is great about 2 hours or more before his bed time, limit tv in evening as it’s a stimulant, maybe he could do some reading before bed but not in bed, only sleep in bed as your brain associates bed with sleeping. If reading or watching tv in bed it confuses your brain/body.

I love the idea of taking the child on a run before bed-time. Then a shower and a cup of warm milk and off to bed. No more stimulation needed. Teach your son about the benefits of milk at night. (Study shows that drinking milk before bedtime can help repair muscles from a workout and help you get stronger, faster Helps you get a good night sleep too!) Let him make his own with your supervision. Stick to a routine and he will get it. Some kids stay up because they think they are missing out on something. Some see Bedtime at a punishment so explain how your brain and body needs so many hours to repair overnight and he will mostly understand this concept.

Not sure if it will work for you but our 10 year old goes running with dad in the evening get home, has a bath and then reads till his eyes are tried this solved the issue for us

Im wondering what time you send him to bed.
Sometimes if they are going to bed too early when they are just not tired it will cause them to think on things and as their mind is active then they just cant fall off to sleep. Perhaps look at his bedtime and allow him to stay up a little later.

Does yor son get enough sun during the day? Your doctor can explain how this can turn people into night owls. Without enough sunlight, our bodies don’t register that it is time to sleep at night. I certainly notice the difference if my sin doesn’t get enough time outside during the day. Sometimes, it’s the simplest remedy that works the best.

I have a child that doesn’t really like to go to sleep too, make sure he isn’t eating lots of sweets and junk type food and try giving him a warm milk just before bed. Maybe read a book to him or get him to read one to himself. Lights off and a quiet enviroment might help a litte. good luck

I have the problem!! It’s frustrating, we have tried everything, quiet time before bed, soothing music, warm milk, tiring him out etc etc etc. but none of it works!! I have the opposite problem to you though as he is then up again in the morning at the crack of dawn. We have come to the conclusion that maybe his body just doesn’t need that much sleep..who knows, we still make him go to bed at 8.00pm though, hoping one day he might grow out of it! I’ll be watching this thread for some ideas!

Perhaps playing an afternoon sport (I know this probably depends on having enough time)…. this might help to physically tire him so he’s more easily able to get to sleep once he goes to bed.

Bath/shower, quiet time then read him a book while he is laying in bed. Consistency. Good luck!