Seriously how do I get 3 yr old to bed?

[allaboutmee]

Cannot get 3 year old in his own bed. My own fault. Mum guilt when new baby came along and he slept with me ever since. Now baby is in her own room and I'm stuck with a defiant threenager who will not stay in his bed. I've tried everything he just keeps coming downstairs. I try not to shout too much as don't want to wake the baby. I also refuse to sit with him for hours in his room as the evenings is the only peace(ish) I get all day! It's getting on for 9pm now and he's still hyper running around downstairs. What can I do?

You have to keep putting him back in however long it takes. No conversation. Just a very boring return to his room. And repeat. It works. It may take a few days though.

Agree with this. It is really important that you are consistent.

It may take a good few nights and be knackering but worth it.

Ds is 6 and we still sit with him until he’s asleep; we talk about his day, read a story, and then listen to an audiobook - usually 30 mins total but easier than having him up and down for hours

Agree you need to be consistent, no talking, nothing. Walk him back to his room and leave.
You don't get an instant fix, it does does afew days/week etc

Bath, milk/supper, story, then settle down. Then sit with him until he falls asleep.

Sitting in the dark may not appeal to you but he wants you with him, and I always found with mine that if they were happy and relaxed going to sleep then they slept better, if they went to sleep wound up and upset they would be more likely to wake up.

Once he's used to going to his own bed staying in it then you can work on leaving him to fall asleep by himself once you've tucked him in.

I used to get into their bed and pretend to fall asleep
all lights off nothing happening

Agree with this.

Plus a Stairgate across the bedroom door.

My 3yo goes to bed listening to audio books (age appropriate ones, like the peppa pig audiobooks) - is that an option?

Keep returning, no convo- soon get the message.
if super defiant put a stair gate on his room.

Sit with him until he falls asleep? My three year old has just dropped off, it's annoying because I have work to do tonight but better than endless crying and going up and down stairs. I'm hoping he'll fall asleep earlier in winter!