god i feel so so awful

[marriedtoatwunt]

i feel so bad. I just shouted at poor ds (2.2years) because he would not go to sleep. Now i feel so awful its not his fault its all mine. I just have not given him the tools to know how to go off to sleep by himself and likes me to be there. Just told him to lay down and go to sleep now he keeps coming in. I am tired. (i work three nights a week until one in morning) i have bad pain in my knee my feet are but and i am now rapidly losing my rag. Trying rapid return but he just keeps getting up! I take him back and he gets in bed and lays down. He is ok if he does not have nap in day but that kills me because i need a sleep during day because of either going to work that night or having worked previous night. Any suggestions?

I used to stick a short DVD during the day, sit him next to me and let him watch whilst I had a nap. You can't help it sometimes, it's better for your child to have a rested mummy rather then one that is too tired to play. We're all guilty of this, don't feel bad about it.

tried that! He just pulls my eyes open!

I assume you've explained why he needs to stay in bed/let mummy have rest too?

Have you tried bribery? Or a sticker chart? What about sitting outside his door so he gets no further than the door before you send him back? Does he have anything to use as a comforter - if not, spin a story about how Teddy is like a mini mummy and he'll cuddle him until he falls asleep.

Good luck - toddlers are a nightmare (mine is 2.7!)

Oh, does he get up etc when he has a nap? Or does he go down no problem? If he goes down without a fight then I suspect that he has the tools.

If he just isn't tired enough at bedtime (or overtired? DS still needs his nap now) tell him he can play with his toys or read his book until he falls asleep.

yes have tried reasoning! He sometimes listens. Will give anything a go!