Why is my 2.6yo suddenly refusing to go to sleep?

[Swaliswan]

2.6yo DD used to happily go down at 7pm. The last 3 nights she has taken until after 9pm to settle. She has so many different reasons why she doesn't want to be left alone (I want a drink, I need a poo, I want a biscuit, I want Daddy, Daddy, DADDY!). What is going on? I can't decide if she is overtired or if I should start restricting her nap during the day and definitely kicking her out of bed at 7am to re-set her bodyclock. It is driving me and DH insane. We want our evenings back. We have tried everything from bribes, telling her off, complying with every request and nothing is working. Help!

[MrsBadger]

I feel your pain

I think part of it is the filthy weather atm - the more time dd (2.4) spends running around outside on any given day the easier bedtime is for us.

I usually bore dd into submission - she gets the normal allocation of stories, and water and cuddles ad lib, but apart from that I sit in her room like a lemon not saying anything except 'sleepytime, dd' etc (door closed so she can;t go roaming).
Dull for me too but usually works eventually.

[Broms]

My friend had this problem at that age - her dd would go nuts at bedtime and like your not settle til after 9pm having screamed the hosue down - cutting daytime sleep solved it. Up at 7am, no daytime sleep and bed at 6.30/7pm worked for them. They put a dvd on instead of nap time.

[Sexonlegs]

Hi there. We have just been through this. DD (2.7) used to be in bed between 7 and 7.30 and would just drop off to sleep happily. For a few weeks, she would cry as soon as you left her,come out of her room etc etc.

We would go back in once and re-assure her, and then leave her to cry (as hard as it sounds). It is a phase; they are becoming more self-aware and wanting to play a game.

We used to turn dd's light off and close her door fully. We now leave her light on and leave her door ajar. After she has dropped of, I turn the light right down and pull the door to.

I just told myself "I have done my part - bath, books, milk etc. it's your turn to go to sleep".

Hope the phases passes and you get your evenings back.

[Swaliswan]

Thanks, Ladies.

Sexonlegs is your DD still having a nap?

[Sexonlegs]

She does sometimes; only if we are in the car though, and usually it will only be for 15/20 mins. Saying that, naps or lack of them made no difference to her in terms of how she was at bedtime iyswim.