https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:07:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632759 Thu, 06 Oct 2016 09:41:32 +0000 Anagram 2632759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: how did it go last night? btw--my 3 year old woke up screaming saying she needed another lovey blankie. She already had one, plus her lambie and her duckie, but she wanted TWO blanket loveys. I said no (because her other one is at school) and had to wait till she was done crying and went back to sleep. Augh.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632551 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 21:40:37 +0000 MrsLilybugg 2632551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everyone thank you so much !! Everyone has been so<br /> Helpful and I feel better equipped for tonight . I want to address replies but have had my hands full all day and am nursing baby to sleep. Praying there's no tantrum for tv tonight! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632385 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 15:29:40 +0000 Mrsbells 2632385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: I agree with other posters dont give in because your LO will interpret that to mean its ok to keep doing that. I would repeat firmly that it isnt time for TV and if necessary put your LO in time out in another room til they are calm </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632347 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 14:36:39 +0000 ElbieKay 2632347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would get rid of the tv for awhile. Put it in the closet or have a friend store it for you outside the house.</p> <p>My 2.5yo is starting to be a real PITA at bedtime. Luckily he mostly STTN but he's been sleeping with me more than usual lately, and bedtime has slipped to 1-1.5 hrs later than I would like. He procrastinates everything and especially hates brushing his teeth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632341 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 14:27:06 +0000 rachiecakes 2632341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: omg my son did this last night! (he's 4.5 though..) No tantrum and no younger sibling, but wtf? </p> <p>Yeah, I definitely think your husband needs to help with two kids up at night. My husband is the grumpiest mf-er when he's awoken from his beauty sleep, but seriously, you can't do this alone, it's not fair. </p> <p>I wouldn't worry about neighbors. We live in a townhouse as well and each unit has had a baby/toddler at some point. You live in a multi family unit, you have noise. It's not like it's a party or loud TV, etc., it's a child, you're trying to calm them. </p> <p>I think you're local? If you need a playdate buddy, someone to talk to or reference for a good babysitter, I'm here for ya :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632333 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 14:20:14 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2632333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel your pain in the no sleep arena. Everything is So Much Harder without sleep. My advice:<br /> 1) DONT GIVE IN!!! Talk about it before bed "There is no TV at night, ever. There is no screaming at night because it wakes people up and everyone needs sleep to be healthy. If you scream for TV you won't get to watch TV at all, even during the day." And then prepare to not watch TV for a while. She has to know you're serious and that will take some time.<br /> 2) Something we've had to do with our 3.5 year old a few times during nighttime screaming fits was take him outside to the car. I didn't drive him anywhere, just buckled him into his seat and stood outside the car, close by, and let him rage it out. I explained what/why "I cannot let you wake people up. I'm taking you to the car so you can get your frustration out. When you're done we'll go inside." This also helps me because i have -1000% patience in the middle of the night. </p> <p>Also, unless your husband has a dangerous job, he needs to help out when both kids are up. Im sorry it's so rough right now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632180 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 10:55:27 +0000 looch 2632180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: I agree with what you've written in both posts.</p> <p>My son wouldn't be swayed by the reward, though, so I wouldn't bother with that part, but I can see the value in it for certain kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632177 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 10:52:22 +0000 gingerbebe 2632177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: So this is how my parents would deal with it because they are pretty cut and dry about this type of thing. They did similar stuff our whole life and my brother who was very very strong willed and obsessed with video games - it's the only thing that worked for him.</p> <p>Give her a set scheduled time for TV for 30 minutes. And that's it. Make it really clear that is the only time she gets TV. Hype it up as her special TV time. Then when she makes a fuss about it, remind her it's not her TV time. When she flips out, say if she doesn't calm down there will be no more TVs in the house at all. Then if she won't settle, get rid of the TVs. Pack them up and say because she's freaking out and misbehaving that no one can have TV. Put them in a box and take them to a friend's house if you have to. Say mommy and daddy are sad because they can't watch TV either, but that you love her too much to let her act impolitely to the family and to the neighbors. When she can be polite the TVs can come back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632174 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 10:49:23 +0000 Truth Bombs 2632174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I might be alone on this, but I wouldn't say the TV is broken/doesn't work. I think it's important for my children to learn that at certain times we do certain things (even if something more fun is an option), and mommy and daddy have the authority to set the rules/schedule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632165 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 10:39:09 +0000 kiddosc 2632165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with previous posters. Both parents need to help tackle an epic tantrum like that, and NO screentime is in effect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632153 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 10:26:45 +0000 avivoca 2632153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that no matter who is working the next day, both people need to be waking up to deal with this. I would also cut it all screen time for a few weeks. It will suck, but it will be worth it. And don't worry about your neighbors, this is a phase and they will live. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632132 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 10:06:10 +0000 irene 2632132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow I am so with @ShootingStar: ! I was just thinking, can you tell her that the television stations is closed at night and everyone goes to sleep so there is no one putting on the TV shows in the middle of the night? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632052 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:16:14 +0000 ShootingStar 2632052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One trick you could try - when we don't want DS watching tv we unplug it and tell him it's broken. He'll go over and push the button to turn it on and he sees for himself that it doesn't work and usually gives up pretty quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632045 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:10:24 +0000 caterw 2632045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: That's what we do too. Tantrums about TV cause loss of TV privileges for a few days. DD threw an even bigger fit for a day or two after she realized that I was serious about screen time being in "timeout", but eventually she learned that when it's time to turn it off she needs to do it right then without fighting. We also make sure not to cheat and let her see the iPad or watch Disney music videos on our phones because I feel like that defeats the purpose of the timeout. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632043 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:08:09 +0000 Anagram 2632043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have had this happen with my 3 year old before, and we had to completely cut out all screen time for a couple of weeks, so the expectation for screen time wasn't there.</p> <p>I also agree with PPs that your husband will have to start helping at night until the phase is over, work or not. My dh and I both work full time, but even when I'm off on summer break or maternity leave or whatever, we both take a kid for night time wakeups. And we trade off. So last night, I had the baby's wakeups and he had the toddler's wakeups. And I got lucky and the baby didn't wake at all--the older one woke once to pee, and DH took care of that.</p> <p>Until then, ride it out. Don't give in and give tv in the middle of the night, because then she will expect to have TV and your problem will get worse.</p> <p>With us, we've also had a problem with overnight eating--my 3 year old would wake up screaming "hungry! I want pouch! I want pizza!" One night I literally was woken at 3 am to my husband putting my screaming 3 year old in the high chair because he was going to make her some eggs. Crazy. I nixed that immediately because LOs problem is and has always been sleep--it isn't that she's hungry, or she wants tv, or she wants a special blanket, it's that she is a frequent waker and isn't good at self soothing. So then I had to take over her night wakeups for a 2 week period and I got strict about saying no food in the night, no matter what. And she would wake up and tantrum and I would ride them out, and then she stopped expecting food after bed time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632037 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:02:00 +0000 Madison43 2632037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My almost 3 year old went through this a few weeks ago - waking up in the middle of the night or stupid early demanding to watch peppa pig. The only thing that stopped it was completely stopping all screentime for a few weeks. It was rough (on us more than her I think) but the mini detox did the trick and now she's fine with watching 1 show a day and not freaking out for more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632010 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 06:54:08 +0000 Truth Bombs 2632010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First of all, I think regardless of anyone's work schedule, if both kids are up in the middle of the night, both parents are up in the middle of the night. So, next time she does this, your husband needs to either address the tantrum, or take the baby so you can. Next, I know you don't want your neighbors to hate you, but hey, you're moving soon anyway, so I think you need to just not worry about it and take a hard line with her. Don't leave the room, don't get in the car, don't give in on the TV. Even just a change of scenery is teaching her that she's basically controlling you by screaming in the middle of the night. (I had issues with this because my preschooler will scream at bed time to get me to bargain with her because I'm afraid of her waking the baby. I finally just had to completely stop with that and let her scream when she wants to and crank up the baby's white noise). It will probably suck for a few nights, but eventually she will learn. Just tell her over and over, "I'm sorry you want to watch tv, but it's night time and at night time we sleep. No matter what you do, you're not going to get a different answer. It's time to sleep". And then I would set up a reward system, 25 cents for every good night, or she gets to pick out a toy after 10 good nights, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2632009 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 06:51:35 +0000 Foodnerd81 2632009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish I had something helpful to offer, but all I can say is that really sucks. I'm sorry. 3 year olds suck. Any chance you and Dh can divide and conquer the kids- regardless of who has work? So have him always deal with the toddler and you always deal with the baby or something? That's how we do it since the baby wakes up to nurse at least once a night but the 3 year old still wakes up sometimes too. It sucks. And it is hard not to be resentful when a3 yo should be sleeping and know better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-waking-everyone-up-demanding-tv#post-2631993 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 03:24:40 +0000 MrsLilybugg 2631993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At wits end </p> <p>Short version:<br /> 3 year old has woken up last night at 4 am, and tonight at 2 am, demanding TV, throwing fits, waking up 6 month old that is in a sleep regression Already, and waking up entire townhouse with thin walls and new neighbors . Give in and turn tv on so she shuts up and let's everyone sleep? ? </p> <p>*****<br /> Long version: </p> <p>I am so depressed. For the past two weeks have been dealing with my 6-month old's sleep regression, where she won't let me put her down to sleep EVER. Only wants to be held. So I can't sleep deeply because I'm holding her in bed.<br /> On the nights that my husband doesn't have to work the next day, he has been letting me sleep while taking the baby downstairs. I work three days a week so I am doing the majority of"night sleep with the kids" the Dynamics are that due to space, I room share with 3yr old and 6 month old. Dh sleeps downstairs . **(We are looking to move soon where we have a bedroom for the kids, so it is what it is right now )**</p> <p>We Live in a townhouse with very thin walls- you can hear neighbors next door vice versa. Everyone's room is upstairs.</p> <p>Twice in a row,<br /> 3'year old has woken up demanding the tv. Last night at 4 am, and just tonight at 2 am. When I say no , she escalates the situation to the point that she's tantruming, wakes up the FINALLY finally sleeping 6 month old, and the entire townhouse. Yesterday my husband swooped her downstairs and calmed her because I had work the next day. Today I worked, but as dh works the next day it fell on me. It is now 4 am and am hopeless. She wouldn't stop, throwing things around room. Saying she wants to go downstairs . Saying she wants to watch tv. That i am yucky . Tvtvtv tv. "I'm going to go downstairs then." Then makes to leave the room. Nothing I said stopped it , only escalated. Screaming , crying. Writhing around , throwing everything , looking for my phone so she could throw it. I know if I give in- she wins and will do it every night. But she's been doing this every night anyway!! I haven't slept in like 2 or 3<br /> Weeks and am losing my mind .</p> <p>I ended up strapping everyone in their car seats and driving around neighborhood at 3:30 am because the noise she was making and my horror of waking entire house (neighbors included ) was stressing me out . I can't do this on work nights tho . I don't know what to do !!!!!<br /> Oh and after she finally calms down she gets mad that I'm holding the baby that she's woken up and says to put baby down in the basinette. </p> <p>I'm not sure if this is a vent, or an "AM I ALONE HERE WITH THIS ONE??", or what. Do I just give in and put the tv on so she shuts the #%^* up and lets baby (and household) sleep ?? Ignoring hasn't helped. "Firmly saying no" escalates it. </p> <p>P.s. We need the upstairs bedroom tv for when one of us (myself or dh) wants to come up for alone time. I guess I can maybe hide it behind a room divider at night? She will know it's still there tho. She also bargains for "downstairs tv" so I don't think having it in the room is the issue . She made to leave downstairs (where dh was sleeping) in her tantrum episode </p> <p>Ugh my life sucks right now </p>