Our 2 1/2 year old fights sleep. He won't nap in the daytime unless in the car. This can be a real problem as nursery is a 15 minute drive so he always falls asleep on the way (afternoon session as I work then). Also my 9 year old DD has late pick ups from after school clubs (5/6pm). He frequently falls asleep then and will then wake up again and be wide awake until much later.
Bedtimes are a nightmare as he can't seem to self settle (wants to clutch my hair the whole time) and then he wakes a few times in the night as well. I do carry him back to his bed when he comes into our room but can't keep doing this as I have a bad back. Sometimes he ends up staying there but fidgets so much none of us get any sleep! DH helps too when he hears but he has a long day leaving at 7am and back at 8pm.
I'm so sleep deprived that it is difficult to function. We seem to be stuck in this cycle and can't seem to break out of it. The gradual retreat thing hasn't worked so far and I can't have him screaming as it keeps DD awake and she has to get up early for school.
Can anyone think of other things to try please?