DD (2.10) keeps getting out of bed. Losing the will to live.

[tethersend]

She thinks it's hilarious.

She goes to bed fine, story etc. Then before me or DP get downstairs, she is up and running down the hall. It's like she's just worked out she can get out of bed by herself.

So, I am putting her back to bed- no words, just returning her to her bed. She laughs her arse off. Then gets up again. Repeat ad infinitum. DP is doing it now. It's taking on average 1 hr a night; this has been every night for a week. The last three days we have dropped her nap to see if it makes a difference. It doesn't.

I don't want to put the stair gate on her door, but I also don't want to throw her out of the window, and if this continues I fear I may.

Any ideas? Just a phase, ride it out? Or take evasive action?

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

persist with silent return, shh bedtime and repeat

sympathy

[tethersend]

I was afraid you'd say that, BALD... you mean I can't nail down the duvet? (Have considered it)

BTW, missed your dewy photo on S&B

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

arf at nail down duvet

I'll whip dewyness up, just for yeow

[tethersend]

At first I thought you looked like a boat... but then I scrolled up and, blimey! Dewy and radiant!

Thanks for indulging my nosiness

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

the thing with the rapid return is that you make it boring and not-worth-bothering-with

easier said than done, natch

[tethersend]

This child is my nemesis.

[MissPricklePants]

my 2.4 dd has been doing this lately, she can also climb over the stairgate which was on her door when she started climbing out!i just keep putting her back in but she doesnt stay in for long!

[Iggly]

What happens if you stay in her room, in the dark and do the rapid return? So she can't get out into the light as it were? Might be worth a go then you can try leaving after a few nights when she's still awake. Otherwise it's too much of a game. I give DS threw chance - first escape, he gets a cuddle with a firm "lie down sleep time). Second escape he gets just the words and I lie him down. Third time and any subsequent, I just lie him down. I don't leave the room. We have phases but at the mo his escape attempts have reduced loads and on occasion I've been able to leave after some reassurance.

[ChippingIn]

I can send you a staple gun?!

I would stay in the hallway, so as soon as her feet hit the ground you are there to put her back in bed. Right now she's getting a bit of a run about and you (or Daddy) coming back up the stairs to 'see to her'. It sounds like the rest of your 'technique' is OK though so I think do that and in 3 nights you should have it cracked.

Fingers crossed

[tethersend]

I am waiting outside the door, Chipping- although DP keeps making a bid for freedom and running down the stairs when it's his turn... I will definitely try what Iggly suggests and stay in the room. Of course I'll probably pass out on the floor and leave her to run wild round the house...

[tethersend]

I will take you up on the staplegun, BTW. Just as a back-up, you understand

[ChippingIn]

How long did it take tonight?

I think the only issue with staying in the room is that they then get used to you being in the room until they go to sleep then you have yet another habit to break.

[tethersend]

About 30-45 mins tonight.

I lost track of time. And space.

[berrymummy]

Our DS did the same thing when we moved him into a big bed... we were at wits end as would be up till 11pm sometimes, but it is just a phase and the novelty of the big bed does wear off- took our DS about 3 months though before it totally stopped so good luck, it will sort itself out just try not give them any attention for it and keep putting them back into bed- know its easier said then done, fingers crossed for you!

[berrymummy]

oh and deffinetly wouldn't stay in the room with your DD as they will figure out that getting out of bed will get mummy to stay with her- dont go down that road:)

[ChippingIn]

How have the last few nights been?

[waytoomuchchocolate]

Ds1 did this about this age, and I lost the will to love too. Some wise mumsnetter told me to give in and sit by the bed in dark, no talking, until they dropped off, and enjoy a few minutes peace myself! I didn't want to because I didn't want to create yet another sleep prop or whatever they're called, but in the end I couldn't face the game that was "get up, put back, get up, put back". Also cut out the afternoon sleep so that I knew he was tired come bedtime. 

In the end i realised it only ever took about 5 minutes before he would just drop off with me sat there not speaking, and now a few months later I can actually sit there for about 30 seconds and then say, ok I'm off downstairs for dinner, will pop back and see you later, and he doesn't get up - woo hoo!

[waytoomuchchocolate]

will to live, not will to love - it wasn't that bad

[StickThemWithThePointyEnd]

ds1 did this a few months ago and it drove me loopy. we persisted with the rapid return and waiting outside his room (mning or reading a book) and after a couple of weeks the novelty wore off. we do have a stair gate on his door; but that is for safety because of the location of the stairs in relation to his door.

how is it going?

[fumanchu]

My DS did this - when he came downstairs neither me nor DH looked at him or spoke to him. We completely ignored him. After about 10 minutes he said he wanted to go to bed so I took him up, tucked him and left. Never did it again. I think a lot of children just love the attention - don't give any.

[SeratoninIsMyFriend]

We had this for a long time until someone recommended story tapes and we downloaded a few ones suitable for a two yr old : In The Night Garden worked best at first but over the year we've worked up to Julia Donaldson, Thomas tank engine, Winnie the pooh etc. Works a treat. IPod dock in bedroom and portable speakers if we go away.

Returning to bed ad infinitum a la Supernanny never worked for us, nor sitting with her in dark.

Hope you find a solution.