When Your Child Refuses to Go to Bed: 10 Tips for a Peaceful Bedtime Routine

   8.  Sometimes the child seeks out stimulation by engaging parents in bedtime wars.

        Change YOUR habits- try different tactics that remove you from the scene as much

        as possible. You might be surprised that your child actually gets sleepy when the

        conflict with you disappears.

  9.  Try sensory products. When my daughter was very young, I purchased a special tent

       that sat on top of her bed. She loved to curl up with her stuffed animals. The

       security of the tent encompassing her had a calming effect. You can also purchase a 

       weighted blanket- these, too often have a calming effect on children with ADHD. 

       Or...pile a lot of regular blankets on her. 

 10. De-clutter your child's room so that he isn't stimulated visually by all the "stuff" in 

      there or tempted to start playing with toys in the middle of the night.

Many children with ADHD simply cannot unwind at the end of the day. When their daytime meds wear off, their behaviors often become unmanageable and sleep impossible. Discuss with your child's doctor whether a bedtime medication might be needed to help ease him into sleep.

Remember: you can't force your child to sleep and you should never suggest that. But you can insist he stay IN bed and rest. Then let nature take its course.