How I managed to get my toddler to wake up later in the morning

Are you feeling exhausted? Are you tired of waking up at 5:30am everyday? I was too.

A few months ago, our toddler would show up to our room everyday at dawn. I was looking for a solution for my 2.5 YO toddler to wake up later in the morning. Especially during those summer months when the sun rises early in the morning, what can you respond when your toddler opens the curtains and tells you "Look mummy, it is daytime, it is wake up time!". I thought I had to find something to help him understand when it is sleep time and when it is wake up time.

I started searching on the internet for a solution and I found this sheep clock which helps your little one understand when it is the right time to get up in the morning, and when they should be sleeping at night. I thought it might worth a try and I am glad I did!

It did take a few weeks for my toddler to get used to it but it eventually worked.

How does it work?

You need to set up with the times you want your toddler to get to sleep in the evening and wake up in the morning.

1. Red LCD screen and Sam's eyes are closed means it is not time to wake up

2. Yellow LCD screen and Sam's eyes are closed means 30 minutes until wake up time

3. Green LCD screen and Sam's eyes are open means it is time to wake up!

How did I sleep trained my toddler with that tool?

I explained to him the colour system and told him that:

1. If he woke up and the sheep was red, he needed to go back to sleep

2. If he woke up and the sheep was yellow, he could wake up but had to stay in his room and play with his toys/read a book before going to mummy and daddy's room

3. If he woke up and the sheep was green, he could come and wake us up

Every morning, when he would wake up and come to our room, I would ask him: "What colour was the sheep?" and congratulate him if the sheep was green, or take him back to his room if it was another colour, reminding him it was not time to wake up yet.

This really helped him understand the concept of sleep time and wake up time, despite the sun light outside the window that can be misleading for our little ones.

Bonus? it is very cute and can also act like a nightlight!

Here is the link to this sleep trainer clock: sleeptrainer clock