why does this child never sleep?!

[jinglybits]

...shamefaced, my ds is still awake, spent 2 and a half hours trying to get him to sleep ...there was wailing and gave up half an hour ago. this is a constant occourance. he is only 21mths but no longer safe in a cot due to acrobatic feats and therefore i have no way of restraining him bar lying down with him which becomes very tedious after few HOURS! oh woe is me, am getting batty with it all. he will be up spritly in the morning too. why is he never tired. pls don't tell me to take him jogging in the park etc because believe me he is very active! would just like some tlc. lone parent, have no one to console me!

...i know i spelt occurance wrong...very tired!

You obviously havn't been reading Gina Ford have you?

No seriously i am sorry, i know what it feels like and all i can say is that it will come to end, and one day you shall be able to put your child down and leave the room without hearing another peek!

My dd hated her cot, and so about 15mths we put matress on the floor, and certainly improved matters - had to lay with her till she dropped off but at least then i knew she'd stay asleep. Whereas in her cot she kept waking up and freaking that she was in it.

am thinking of giving up bedtime and allowing him to run riot until he collapses into sleep by himself! joking!...sort of! I just don't know how to get him to go to sleep. gave up the night b/f 2 weeks ago and so maybe he has lost this cue. without the walls of a cot there is no way to keep him in one place to cry and protest a little before falling asleep, if i lie next to him he's still (sometimes!) but if i get up so does he! please send help!

I used to lay with her with a big nursery rhyme book. I'd sing the songs to her getting slower and slower and more and more boring until eventually she'd drop off.

There is an end to this, since dd was about 2 maybe 2 and a half, she's been an angel to go to sleep. Just read her stories, turn out the lights and she stays there no probs now.

I used to talk to her about now she was grown up she didn't need me to stay, so i'd tell her she'd have to go to sleep alone and i'd pop in and check every now and then. If she got out, i'd threaten to shut the door (and hold it shut) which i did a few times with her kicking and screaming the other side. She got the message and learnt how to stay in bed when i told her to.

I know that sounds cruel, but it really wasn't that bad. i only shut it for about 2 mins then i'd go in and cuddle her explain why i'd shut it etc It worked and nights are far less stressful now.

Of course i realise your ds still in cot, but perhaps its worth remembering for when you do move to bed/matress.