2.5 year old - I need advice

[jeaux90]

I am a single mum with a live in nanny. Demanding job but I try and make it back by 6 every night so I can spend an hour and do bed time. Problem is I need to get straight back on working once she is asleep, and there is the problem. I try putting her down about 7 and she just won"t have it, she is currently sittiing up in bed crying. I do the repeat thing of going in, not talking just laying her back down etc. I will do this 30 times whilst she is crying mama. I stopped her naps a couple of months back so she is pretty tired, I just am at the end of my toleration as I am starting to lose my temper and I am getting stressed as I need to work. The wrong answer is to stay at work and let the nanny do it (she never makes a fuss with her) but I want to spend the hour with her. I would sorely love some advice.

This probably won't prove to be too popular but up until we went on holiday a few months ago my 2.5yr old DS had got to a point where I said goodnight, closed the door and he'd go to sleep.

However, going on holiday seemed to completely muck up his routine so after many nights of me getting very frustrated and it taking an age for him to drop off I've started laying down beside him again and on average it takes around 10 minutes for him to go to sleep.

Eventually, I'll try leaving him again but I'm pregnant and work 4 days a week and tbh at the moment, the easy route is the best route.

I know you'd rather be able to leave DD but perhaps for the time being, laying beside her might be the best route until she feels happy enough to be left to go to sleep.

Have you tried sitting with her? It's a classic age for needing you a bit more at bedtime. If it works quickly then do it. You can gradually withdraw in time. You need to accept the situation as is - otherwise the stress is too much and she will pick up on it.

Also why did you drop her nap? She might well be overtired so even harder to settle at bedtime.