2 Year Old trying it on at bedtime

[Newmum26]

My DS has always been a great sleeper and goes to bed in his cot usually awake and cuddles in and goes to sleep.
Lately he's been taking ages to get off to sleep, not really upset, just shouts out for mummy and daddy to 'get him a drink' or 'he wants another cuddle' or 'he has an itch' or 'he wants the zebra/cow/bunny/lion/bear cuddle toy on his shelf 😂)
It's not an problem and we find it quite funny listening and watching him on the camera sat up playing with all his cuddly animals in his cot but I just wondered if this is quite common at this age?

Hi, sorry my first post on here, so please bear with me. I'm having a nightmare with this at the moment. My son went to bed well until about 18 months. Now it takes me anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to settle him. The real problem is that if I leave the room he gets incredibly upset. I don't really want to do controlled crying but I'm not sure how to deal with it and having to sit with him that while time is not great. I've tried massage, calming sleep music, spending a hour of calm bathing and stories before bedtime, talking to him about it. Nothing seems to work. Any advice would be appreciated.

My son has just moved out for the first time to live with friends & at the moment I'd give anything to have those days back tbh 🙁

I'm sure you are right but at the moment we are all exhausted and this is having a negative impact on the time we're spending together. I know that sometimes you just have to ride it out but I was thinking perhaps someone would have some advice and experience on how to cope with/help the situation?

My son has just moved out for the first time to live with friends & at the moment I'd give anything to have those days back tbh 🙁

Then go make your own thread in teenagers, don't bother parents who actually want some help with your nostalgia. It's really self-indulgent and irritating.

Anyway... Have you tried very gradual retreat? For the first few days just say something like 'i need something from the hall' and be gone for literally seconds, then build up from there? A friend who did this said the key was to be 100% reliable, so if you said you were going downstairs but would be straight back then do that, don't be tempted to stay out longer in the hope that they don't notice.

Hey New account 270219 MBM was just expressing a reasonable opinion ...your "self indulgent and irritating" comment is a gross over reaction maybe you are the one with the unfortunate attitude!

Thank you Newaccount270219. That is really helpful and something I will try. It's a comfort to hear something new that I can try. I'll let you know how I get on.
Regards the next comment from systems.... you are right it is an opinion expressed, however when comments like that are made when someone is feeling despair and wants help, it is a little irritating tbh and. I understand what is being said... make the most of it... but it's not very empathetic.

I would agree with the popping in and out, I can sometimes fold the washing in my bedroom and be in and out of his putting it away or get a cup of tea and bring it down. I do still get dramas though. I think a PP is right that I am probably too tempted to just push it longer until he’s gone to sleep so then he doesn’t trust me next time. Or I give in and sit with him because I need him not to wake DD.

@NewAccount270219

I was SAHM too - you wound up even more now? 🙄

@systems2

Thank you 💐

Update: night one - he is not yet asleep but there have been no tears. I have been building up intervals so 1 min then 2 etc. After telling him what I am doing. He's just chatting to himself but seems to be getting very sleepy 🤞

Who said to you that a two year old tries it on at bedtime?
That's normal toddler behaviour

@JustHereforHarriet do you mean me?

He's asleep 😊 and no upset, just a happy boy. No idea what the above comments are. This is all new to me so sorry if I've added when I shouldn't, but thank you for the advice the previous 2 helpers.

No sorry, Bitch Amused by the pile on from Mumofason centring herself on someone else’s thread.

Actually that sounds really harsh. I’ll see myself out.

Yes. Thanks for the 'to the point' heads up. Nice! I have now found how I do a thread (as I originally said I'm new to this). Not sure I'll bother though as I was mislead into thinking this forum was about chatting and helping each other. Still people need to get there kicks somewhere I suppose. Enjoy!
Again, thank you very much to those that helped and apologise to the person who's thread this is. My mistake.

I spent ages lying on the floor next to my 18 month olds cot, and would creep out once they fell asleep. But then I suddenly started saying I'm just popping to get x or do y, will be back in a minute, whilst leaving the room but keeping the door open a bit. Seems to have worked ever since and I have my evenings back. I think she didn't like the dark and wanted to at least think I'd be coming back!

Yes they all through this phase. The best thing you can do is dont bow to all his requests. Decide what you're willing to do and stick to it every night. Otherwise it will keep escalating and it gets worse when they move into a bed!

Also may be time to cap or stop his nap if he still has one, if he's really not tired.