Toddler tantrums at bedtime

[CJ2010]

DD, 2 yrs 5 months has started having major tantrums when we put her down to bed. She is currently running around in her room, screaming, throwing things and absolutely hysterical.

This is a fairly new thing (about a week now) but I want to nip it in the bud. I ended up sleeping on her floor last night until she dropped off but I know this is not the way to go. Also got a 10 month old to care for.

She is not unwell, it is pure tantrum. PLEASE advise on how best to deal with this. Thank you.

Do you think she is too tired? My dd (2 1/2) sometimes goes completely bananas at bedtime because she is exhausted. Sometimes we just have to ride the storm. And then think about putting her to bed 10 / 15 / 20 mins earlier.

I'm afraid I haven't been there (yet - DD's 2.2yrs) but I do know that unless she's properly tired I'll have no luck settling her. Is she still having any kind of daytime nap?

Hmmmm! Corss posts saying the opposite!

Cross. Overtiredness is a good point.

No don't think she is over tired, I think she wants to sit downstairs with us and be in the thick of it.

I'm really unsure of how to deal with this. DP has gone upstairs to be with her and she is happy now, but it's not the solution is it?! I just want a bit of evening, just to chill and relax.

I could have written this, will be watching but can't help I'm afraid!

Hi, just wondered what time her official bedtime is? It's quite late for a littlie to be up. Has she been playing up for ages cos mine usually were in bed for 7 at the latest at two and a half. It's definitely tantrums, be strong and make sure you get your eveinng to yourself.

7.30/8pm is her bedtime, she was put to bed at 8pm.

My DD is 2.6 and I agree with overtiredness as being the main factor in any difficult bedtimes. Does she still nap during the day?

Can you make sure her bedroom is safe and just ignore her as much as possible? We have the stairgate on DD's bedroom door, so she can open the door but can't run around the rest of the house. We have calmly said to her that we are leaving her room until she calms down and then gone.

Alternatively would it work if you said before that she can play in her room quietly and get back into bed when she is ready? That has worked for us for day time naps (on the occaisions that she has them!)

Btw - not saying these are the answers, but perhaps things to try/

I found spoiling my DD for the last hour before bedtime with a long bath and lots of fun playing with her toys with her in the bath and then a lovely long hug and bedtime stories helped. I also spoke to her quite a bit in preparation of how bedtime was going to change and she had to stay in her room etc. I never got to the stage of a reward chart but with a Gro clock and praising her lots that seemed to help.

When she got out of bed after lights out, I would return her to her bed with no eye contact and no conversation and leave again. Over and over until she'd get bored and go to sleep. With my son I ended up buying a stair gate for the bedroom door. And once he was asleep I'd remove it. He did have some meltdowns but with patience and consistency he improved too. It's hard isn't it?

It may take a while to improve matters whatever you decide, but be consistent. I'd start the bedtime routine sooner, so that even if it takes her a while to go to sleep, her bedtime won't end up being too late ultimately. As overtired toddlers are ghastly ime.