My 3,5 yrs old son falls asleep easily in day-care or with grandparents. But when it is nap time/sleep time with me and/or my husband he cannot calm himself. He usually does not resist the bedtime routine and going to bed, he loves reading the bedtime story but when we say good night he starts to act out. The only way to make him sleep is to make him cry - by leaving him alone and repeatedly returning him to bed or by staying with him and holding him down in bed or other restrictive measures. It did not improve for several months no matter how "mean" or nice I am to him. We would not mind to stay with him in bed until he falls asleep,even not to share the bed all night (we share the bedroom). But none of this helps, when I lie down next to him he can jump on me,hit me etc. When we read, talk or sing it can take an hour and after that the acting out comes anyway.If I leave him alone he keeps getting up,I am pregnant and don't have the strength to put him back 20 times. It seems to me he is full of emotions,the crying works as relief and than he can fall asleep easily. But it is not the way I want it,I would like to find nicer way... Any tips for relaxing techniques etc?
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