grandchild lives with me very active

[grandmasnowhite]

I have a 4 year old grandaughter, she lives with my husband and I.  She does not like take naps, doesnt want to go to sleep. Somtimes up till Midnight.  I guess she does'nt have enough activity.  But I work full time and am too tired to play with her.  She goes to daycare but I think there is not enough activity there either, since it is a homecare daycare.  Help....how could I get her to calm down?

[mooksmom]

You will not get the desired results unless YOU change. She has excess energy because her day is lacking it...whether at the daycare or at home. I personally think a schedule is important for all kids. I've never seen one that can't get on a schedule, but it takes time to change when the child has not ever been on one. Maybe a different daycare, where they do more than watch kids is warranted, too. One would like a daycare where the kids get some outdoor time each day.

[margypops]

I have found that most children seem to give up napping around 3-4 instead you could have a quiet reading time with her .It sounds as if she has no routine or she wouldnt be up till midnight, it isnt a choice, take her to bed by 9pm latest, read some stories , settle her in, you could keep a small light on in the hall if she isnt keen on the dark. She will come out she may yell, be consistant, take her back to bed, over and over if you have to , she will get it, if you relent at all she will know you will.Does she nap at day care , if she does and they sleep late there that may be the reason she doesnt want to sleep at night so you will need to ask the daycare to let her read whilst others are napping .good luck