Trouble getting 2 1/2 year old to bed ...

[pocoyo123]

Hi

After some advice / ideas please.

Last week we moved our ds from his cot to a bed. He is a good climber and could almost get out of the cot so we knew it was time.

My dh works away from home a lot but was home for that week and we noticed that he has started to listen to my dh when he is told off / asked to do something but still doesn't listen to me. My dh put him to bed - the same routine we always have with the exception of him now having a duvet rather than a sleeping bag. My husband reads to him, talks a little about today and tomorrow, says he loves him and then tucks him in bed. Ds lays there for a bit and sometimes climbs out but goes straight back when my dh tells him to.

This week it is just me and ds. He has been a nightmare when trying to read books (he used to be very good for me) and fights as I put him in bed. I do the same routine as ds, say it is time for bed and leave and then listen as he trashes the room. If I say go back to bed he might go back and lie there screaming or just stand at the door (we have a gate across it) trying to get my attention, often crying. I am downstairs as I dont want him to see me.

Do you think this is something that will improve with time or should I be doing something? I am a bit clueless and rather cheesed-off that he plays up for me all the time but is so good with dh!

Thanks for any ideas

I think it will improve, and I would stay firm and calm as much as possible. Don't bite! And make bedtimes calm but fun so maybe let him choose books at the library, or new PJs or something.

Thanks ff! I was hoping that it was a time thing.

I am not sure how I can get him to listen to me but I guess my dh has more authority as he is not there that often. Is that why we were always threatened with "wait until your dad gets home"?!

i'm having the same problem! can't get her to go to bed for an hour she's crying or saying more cuddles she's 2 and a half, my hubby will come home late and of course i've done all the hard work and she is so tired he'll talk to her put her down and she'll go to sleep!!! and then he's like whats the big deal? i could scream myself!

Annoying, isn't it ffried? Glad I am not alone!

I rock my two and half year old to sleep every night as I really can't face a battle of wills. She falls asleep on my knee within about ten minutes and then I tuck her in. She is in bed for 7 most nights and sleeps right through. I know it is delaying the inevitable but it has worked for us and there are very few tears (from her or me!)

I should also mention that I haven't got a hope in hell of being able to put her into bed and leave her!! she gets out straight away and then throws a huge tantrum and gets herself into such a rage she is beyond hysterical!

At least I know that I am not alone. I was prepared for him to stand at the gate and wail a bit but ...

We had this problem with DS at 2.1. It was a week of him just screaming before I put the side back on his cot and dropped the base onto the floor!

So basically he has his mattress on the floor with the cot around him still. It certainly did the trick! The first night I put him in it he was so excited about having his cot back! We will try the bed again when he understands a bit more!