My dd is 2 and a half. She is a happy, confident, outgoing child. Potty trained and attends nursery for 3 sessions a week which she really enjoys. All good so far! But the sleeping is an absolute nightmare! I have a bedtime routine (tea, bath, story, bed) that I have followed since she was a tiny baby, I put her to bed between 6 and 7. I sit with her until she goes to sleep as she shares a room with her older sister. This can take an hour or more, even if I know she's really tired but she's too stubborn to settle down. So that in itself is draining as it takes up most of the evening and I have 6 other children and housework to deal with also. She then wakes up every night usually between 10 and 12 and then can be awake for hours - her record is over 5 hours! I tried sitting next to her bed to get her back to sleep but I just sat there for hours trying to settle her. She now comes into my bed but lays awake still for hours every night. She fidgets, talks constantly, takes her clothes off, pulls the wallpaper etc. I don't talk to her or engage with her except to lay her down and sshh her. She wont let me sleep, keeps poking me in the eyes and mouth and telling me to wake up. I have to be up before 7 every morning. The lack of sleep is really taking it's toll on me - I'm snappy and irritable and can burst into tears at anything! I have a constant headache and I find I'm always eating. Dd is absolutely fine and you would never guess that she survives on just a few hours sleep somedays. She hasn't slept during the day since she turned 2 so she literally has about 5 or 6 hours sleep somedays - which I know is nowhere near enough. I have absolutely no idea what to do, I can't leave her in her bed as she disturbs all the others. She is incredibly strong willed and won't be swayed by bribery or sweet talking. I tried controlled withdrawal but gave up due to complete exhaustion after 3 hours of putting her back in bed. She just found it funny! Its 3.35 am now and she has just gone to sleep after waking up at 10.30 pm. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!