Long post, sorry in advance.
28mo DS has become a complete nightmare at bedtime. Previously would have wind down time after tea with a small amount of TV, quiet(ish - he is a toddler!) play followed by bath, stories and then cuddles before sleep. He has been in a bed since easter without any issues. He normally goes to bed around 7-7.30pm.
Since Christmas a switch has flicked and he is now a different child. Doesn't sit still long enough for a book, climbing all round his bedroom, running out the door etc. We either just leave after tucking him up and bidding him goodnight or sometimes he occasionally settles and has a book. Once in bed he gets out repeatedly. We have installed a stair gate across his door to prevent repeated escapes as he wasn't responding to being put back a la super nanny. Now he just stands at the gate and rages. The past few nights we have gone back to try to settle him a couple of times but we have realised he is playing us as he laughs and is all smiles as soon as we go up (despite sounding like he is going to die seconds before). I am not really a cry it out/leaving to cry person so I am finding this really hard and like I am totally failing. Nothing is working.
Not sure what else to try. He is also suddenly nap refusing having previously had a good 1.5-2 hours in the afternoon. So he is overtired but refuses to sleep. Any suggestions very welcome. We put him to bed at 6pm tonight because he is an overtired mess. He is currently screeching at the stairgate. DH has just been in to try to settle him but he just laughs in his face and gets out of bed.