Quick - I need your opinion. If I give into DS1 now, will I be making a rod for my own back??

[Ceebee74]

Ds1 (2.7) was supposed to be in bed at 7.30 - from about 7.45 until 8.30 I tried the 'back to bed' stuff but he just found it hilarious. By 8.30, I was starving hungry as I hadn't had my tea so I gave up and just left him (he has access to his bedroom and the landing). Ever since then he has been stood at the top of the stairs sobbing his heart out shouting 'mummy' (he has now just thrown his dummy down the stairs aswell!)

I know that he will go to bed happily and stay in bed if I go up (I can tell he is getting tired now) - but will that be giving into him and making it harder in the future??

Yay or nay?

I hate the 'rod for your own back' thing. If it was my child sobbing at the top of the stairs I'd be there in a flash. I tend to think that happy bedtimes are more important than principles. Good luck!

I would do this:

Go up and say firmly and quietly something like "it is bedtime now" and lead him gently back to his room. Repeat as necessary. Oh and give him his dummy back (my dd is addicted to hers)

Good luck.

He is addicted to his dummy but he does have spares under his pillow which he is well aware of so I am not overly concerned that he threw it down the stairs.

It has all gone very quiet.....dare I go out and have a look??

tough one - I'd be tempted to go up to him but you are right, it might encourage him to play up tomorrow night.

I tend towards being very kind at bedtime because obviously ds won't go to sleep if he's upset. But that does mean I sometimes get caught up in long-drawn out games, while dh is much more efficient. (Although then he ends up going too far the other way, ds gets worked up, I have to go in and soothe him etc. etc. etc. - have not yet worked out a foolproof approach to bedtimes and when I do, I'm going to patent it and make a million!)

Well, my DS does something like this. (though he's only 9 months old)

Why not go up with him until he falls asleep and then go back down stairs?

I agree with Aranea, happy bedtimes are more important - it being a massive battlefield is more likely to be a rod in time.

But, what do I know, I have a 9month old!

I have just gone to have a look and he has obviously put himself to bed....I feel really guilty now

Am a little bit annoyed as it coincided with the first night I have put DS2 (3 months) to bed upstairs so I was really looking forward to an evening watching Dancing On Ice from last night - DS2 went to bed without a murmur and has slept through the whole thing

It could just be a one off. Ds1 used to do this and we went up to him. Sometimes they just need a bit extra comforting/attention. It didn't turn into a regular nightly activity.

Sorry x-posts.

There you are then, they just have a secret radar for knowing when you are going to have a peaceful night/night on the town etc etc.