To think enough is enough?

[Woollysheepsheep]

Posting for traffic/support really.

2.5 year old has always been a very bad sleeper. I don't really know how to explain it, he just never slept well, woke up at a pin drop. I never did anything different to with ds1 who slept great.

He would at least go to sleep from awake so I had my evenings, even though he'd wake several times at night.

Then around age 2 something changed and he would cry when we left the room and somehow we ended up lying down with him to get him to sleep. This can go on for an hour.

It's driving me mad now, I just want him to go to bed.

I want to get into the habit of putting him to bed awake, after bath, book and milk, if he gets up just to keep putting him back into bed.

He doesn't cry he just thinks it's a big game to keep getting up so I can put him back in. This can go on for hours.

I want to know how long it will take if I persist.

Has anyone had a stubborn child like mine?

[Cabininthewoods69]

My dd was 4 before she slept through the night. Now at 9 she loves bedtime and I can't get her out of it

[Woollysheepsheep]

I'm not too bothered if he doesn't sleep through, I know he can't help waking up.

I just want him to go to bed so I can have a tiny bit of evening time.

He's still awake now, he's had no daytime nap, it can't be good for him.

[Woollysheepsheep]

If I don't lie down with him for up to an hour he's running around the house waking his brother up.

[Cheekylittlenumber]

I feel for you OP, my DD went through a phase (for a long time!) when she would only settle if we sat on her bed. But it was after a night terror (about ET, stupid DH letting her watch it!!)

So a bit different as she was genuinely frightened of being alone, but we did gradual retreat. Still takes her a half hour on a good night but she settles herself.

Our problem is that she comes into our bed in the middle of the night and disturbs my precious sleep (I have a 4 month old too)

We're using bribery to try and keep her in her bed. She stayed in her bed all night last night so we made a big fuss about her and bought her a toy. She's gone to bed clutching the toy and we've reminded her why she got it in the hope it might keep her in her bed!

Sorry for the long waffle, no real advice for your exact situation but good luck!!

[Aquamarine1029]

He has trained you very well. Now it's time to take control and train HIM. No more laying down with him, no more giving in to his every cry. Put him back into bed and sit outside his door until he is asleep. Tell him you love him but it's time to sleep. Tell him you will sit at the door but you are not coming in and you will put him straight back into bed should he get up. Then you have to follow through. It might take hours and it may take several days, but he will break out of his current cycle.

[practisingagain]

Have you tried reading to her? With mine when they were a pain if I read a book that was too old for them they would fall asleep whilst I'm reading.. wish it still worked!!

[G120810]

Put baby gate on door and go into u're room and ignore it he can't go anywhere apart from bef the novelty soon runs out trust me don't let him run around no wonder he won't go to bed he can wind u up

[Jammycustard]

Gate on door.