3.5yr old not going to sleep....

[wellsie]

For the past 18mths DH & I have taken it in turns to put DS1 to bed. At the age of 2 he escaped from his cot, climbed over the stairgate we fixed to his bedroom door and then when we raised it higher he pulled the thing off the door So we have been reading him to sleep. This can take anything from 10mins to 2hrs and counting tonight. For the past week he just hasn't been tired when going to bed, that or he's messing about! We have got a length of rope which Dr Green recommends fixing to the door handle should we have a determined non-sleeper but the trouble is when we have used it he cries so much he wakes DS2 who is next door. What is the solution, I don't think I've got the energy to do the "putting back to bed" We tried this long ago and it was just a game to DS1. Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks

If your eldest is 3.5 then your ds2 must be about 2, could you move ds1 cot to the front room/anyroom downstairs for a week so that you could train ds1 and therefore not disturb ds2, just a thought.

Hi, thanks for your response. DS2 is 14mths so can still be a bit sensitive to the noises his brother makes .
We live in a town house so your suggestion about moving DS2 to a different part of the house could work as our bedroom is in the roof and DS2 was there with us before the move to his own room. So I might try that.
Tonight DS1 must've been tired as he was at nursery all day but he still put up a good fight about going to sleep. I was on the 5th story when he dropped off (they are not short stories!). I think he thought it was all a game last night, although this morning he was shattered. Perhaps he's getting to the age when a later bedtime is needed (currently goes at 7-7.30pm) and the fact that we stay with him until he goes to sleep could be preventing him going to sleep. DH and I were talking last night about this. I don't think I could go to sleep if I had someone in the room watching & waiting for me to drop off. Oh well I'm sure we'll work it out just hope it's before I lose the plot.

I have no helpful advice whatsoever, sorry. But will be reading this thread avidly, as ds1 (4 in Nov) hasnt slept well since we took his dummy away in June. Can be up to 10pm, even starting at 7, tantrums, getting up, etc etc. Now on the 'will only lie down with Daddy' phase, which is ok unless dh is on late shifts , I'm knackered, as ds2 gets up at 5am every day.

interesting what you say about the dummy as last week (when all this started) DS1 had a sore thumb. Unfortunately it was the thumb he sucks so he couldn't go off to sleep as well. Anyway the next night it was better but he has dragged out each evening since. I'm just wondering if this has triggered something in his wonderful, imaginative mind. Oh by the way did I mention that he is 3 going on 30. He called me sweetheart tonight

Is he still having a daytime nap? If so this could be why he's not tired enough. Also sorry if I'm stating the obvious but try to get him out in the fresh air every day if possible, lots of exercise really makes a difference. Re:'putting back to bed' I know you don't want to do it but it does work eventually you just have to pesevere. No talking/interaction either just put straight back to bed. Easier said than done I know! HTH

i havent got any good advice, but am watching eagerly.

My ds also 3.5 doesnt go to bed until about 11pm every night. Doesnt sleep during the day and seems to be like the duracell bunny!!