How many weeks before "rapid return" works? Or any other bright ideas before I just tie him to the bed?

[SchrodingersFanny]

Ds is 3.11. We've had problems on and off since he gave up his dummy (voluntarily) in March.

I had been lying next to him, and had managed to wean him off that. However the hot weather started a ridiculous spell of refusal to go to bed, some night it took us until 10pm to get him there.

We are doing rapid return- not talking to him when he gets up, simply carrying him back. We have previously tried sticker charts, rewards and removal of toys none of which worked.

But we are still doing it, every night. It doesn't get any better. He still wants me to lie with him, or he gets up every 3 mins. Sometimes I don't even leave the room before I have to put him back.

I am exhausted. Dh is exhausted. Lying with him can take hours, sometimes until 9pm, which means I have no time to myself (we also have 1 yr old).

I am at my wits end.

Hi. With DD it took a good two or three months I'm afraid - starting from when the sides came off her cot bed at about 2.2. However once it was sorted it was really sorted - she is now 3.9 and settles brilliantly and totally on her own 95% of the time. But it did take weeks and weeks of returning dozens of times, sitting at the top of the stairs in the dark to make sure she was finally settled etc. etc.

Sorry it's not a better experience to share, but I can honestly say it was worth it in the end