To think it's too late?

[Hiimblahblah]

DC is 22 months old and it takes 2 hours to get him to sleep at night. I only have myself to blame, as he's so used to me sitting in his room whilst he goes to sleep, but sitting in his room for 2 hours every night is getting too much, it's my only time to do my own thing work and child-free and I'm starting to feel resentful, which is unfair to him.

If I leave the room he screams and cries. Is it too late to try to teach him to self soothe?

Not too late. Have you tried gradual withdrawal?
Sounds ideal for your situation.

Amazing!! What's gradual withdrawal? ☺️

Absolutely not too late, he is only two. I too would start gradual withdrawal. What is your evening routine like? Is he really relaxed and sleepy? Do you do a story? Does he have any comforters?

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.channelmum.com/a/gradual-retreat-sleep-training-method

I made this mistake and went with gradual withdrawal. Basically rather than next to the bed I set up a cushion area further away as mummy’s sitting spot, then moved to by the door, eventually to sitting in the stairs. Threw in a bit of ‘I’m just going to the toilet, il be right back’ and trying to push it and not come back. Wasn’t a quick process but eventually it worked for me (although she’s now 4 and I still pretend I’m sitting on the stairs and then silently ninja down them)

Of course not, just withdraw slowly.

It depends on the night, really as to whether or not he's sleepy. If he sleeps too much at his grandparents during the day he tends to be more awake. I've asked them not to let him sleep for more than an hour, but I'm not convinced they listen.

We do a story and I sing to him a little, but he only has his dummy for comfort as he doesn't seem interested in his teddies

@Overthewine

Thank you, this is such a lovely way to look at it! And not a "twatty" thing to say at all 😘

I used to read 2 books to DD1, then read MY book out loud (content carefully chosen, usually a biography or factual book). She soon went to sleep.