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2 year old faffing at bedtime - not funny any more!

6 replies

wigwam1973 · 19/06/2010 18:03

DS2 is 2.3 years, and during the day, a delight. Bedtime, however, is another matter.

Shortly before his 2nd birthday he started to resist his nap () and then started making such a fuss at bedtime about going in his cot, that we started putting him to sleep in the double bed which is still in his room (used to be the spare bedroom).

We would do the whole bedtime routine, and leave the door ajar, and now the whole evening seems to be spent with him escaping from bedroom and either running into brother's bedroom shouting 'I'm back!' or coming to find me wherever I am in the house.

It goes on for ages and ages and, quite frankly, is doing my head in. More often than not I end up getting in to bed with him to get him to go to sleep, which I know is a big no no. He does still occasionally have a nap if out in the buggy at lunchtime, but even on the days when he has no nap, when surely he must be exhausted, he still carries on this new 'routine'. Last night, for example, it was 10 to 9pm before he finally gave in.

We must break this habit. Please help - anyone been through anything similar. Thanks, in advance.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Rindercella · 19/06/2010 18:05
Daffydilly · 19/06/2010 18:52

I know I'll be absolutely flamed for this but here goes anyway! Put a stair gate across the bedroom door so he can't get out of the room. Leave the door open and go to him if he's distressed but don't let him out of the room. He has to learn that at bedtime he goes to bed and won't be allowed to run riot round the house. Sleep is all about habits and patterns and the sooner you reset the pattern the better.

MrsJohnDeere · 19/06/2010 19:06

Stairgate is a must IMO!

choufleur · 19/06/2010 19:07

stairgate.

wigwam1973 · 19/06/2010 20:20

thanks, all.

OP posts:
domesticslattern · 19/06/2010 22:39

Stairgate yes.

Bribery works in this house. My DD (2.5) will do anything for a sticker. We put them on her bedroom door and then make a big fuss of her, show daddy when he comes home etc. etc.

And absolutely no rewarding or being nice if he comes out of bed. Just stern returning to bed. Hopefully he'll get the message.

Weirdly my DD is more likely to resist bed if she is tired and up past her usual bedtime.

Good luck!

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