I gave my DS2 (who is 2 1/2) a Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium cot toy that lights up and has music and bubbles. I told him it is a special toy just for bedtime and he is allowed to press the button if he wakes up too early. I told him he is not allowed to get up or call out until he hears that mummy or daddy is up, but he can play with the toy while he waits. This has worked fantastically, he presses the button to play the music and watches the bubbles and lights, then falls back asleep.
Some kids just always wake up early. My sisters three DSs STILL wake up before 5am - and the oldest is 12.
My sister has survived this by using the alarm clock method, too. Once they were old enough to tell the time they were given a clock and told they could not leave their bedrooms until 7am. They were allowed to get up, turn the light on and play quietly but they were not allowed to wake up their brothers or -- most importantly -- their parents.
The no disturbances before 7am was part of a bigger rewards system, with points awarded for good behaviour. The points could be redeemed for things like new toys (small ones) or trips to the movies.
The funny thing is I am now suffering the opposite. DD sleeps in, sometimes til 10.30. But she won't go to sleep at night. Sometimes she won't sleep until after 10pm!
I am googling the clock now! So glad I found this thread, just hope that it will work with DS (just turn 2). It is so exhausting getting up, sometimes 4:30 and trying to get him back to sleep
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