Why did we take the sides off ?!

[spud28]

As title, took the sides off my ds cot 10 days ago and really thinking why ! He's 2.3 and is very tall over 99th percentile so could get out of cot without sleeping bag and was leaning so far over with one on it was only a matter of time ! So sides came off stair gate went on. In the cot he used to spend a good 30 mins de briefing his day having a good old chat practising new words ! But we could leave the room no problem after story time. Now if you try to leave the room he screams the house down. So we have been using gradual withdraw. But we are having to stay in the room till he's asleep which is upto 3 hours ! I want my evenings back ! Please tell me it gets better and share any tips

Perseverance. I would not be staying in the room for 3 hours as that is a very hard habit to break. At his age he is old enough to understand that he shouldn't be screaming the house down. I would leave the room and if he screams, go back after a few minutes, settle him down, tell him it is sleeping time then leave again. Each time leave it a couple of minutes more. It could take a few nights but it will get better (apparently I used to do this to my parents and would also keep leaving the room - so my DM used to do her ironing in the hallway which soon put a stop to my wandering).

Thanks frazmum think your right it's about time we tried a bit of a tougher approach, I was just worried that it was such a big change but I think your right he's old enough

I'm a coward! My DD has never tried to climb out so at 3 1/2 the sides of the cotbed are still on!
It's going to be a nightmare when we buy her a bed in a couple of weeks won't it?!