2.5 year old - taking hours to get to sleep

[Panda12345]

I’ve got no idea what to do with my little one!
He’s 2.5 years old and recently moved into his big bed. And bed time is now getting later and later. He has his usual routine of dinner, bath, stories in bed. I usually have finished all of this by 7:30 and leave him to go to sleep. This is what we used to do when he was in his cot also. But since he is in the bed he can now get out, turn the light on and read his books. Last night it was 10:30 before he went to sleep and even then that was because I actually got in with him.
We were happy that he was staying in his room but he is just getting a bit carried away with it now!
He still naps during the day because he needs it. And the new thing since all this started is that he’s crying that he is tired from about 6, and a bit of a disaster all afternoon! So he’s definitely not getting enough sleep.
Any tips on how to get him to settle down? I think everything is impacting on him at the moment, a few good nights sleep will probably solve all sorts of problems!

You have to drop the nap. Mine dropped hers at 2.5 years old. It's tough at first but this is a clear sign of needing to drop the nap

How recently has he moved to his big bed? It might take a few weeks to get used to it.

Otherwise start to drop the nap - doesn't have to be all or nothing you can cut it down first, or nap every other day.

Thanks. I cut his nap in half today but we’re down no earlier! Staying with him for two hours doesn’t seem to achieve him getting to sleep any earlier. I guess I’ll try no nap at all tomorrow. Wish me luck 🤞🏼

Drop the nap.

At 22 months my DD wasn't going to sleep until 10pm, she dropped the nap soon after, and was reliably asleep at 7pm. Afternoon car rides will be challenging for a while, and there will be the odd occasion when they fall asleep on the sofa in the afternoon, but it needs doing.

Sounds like it's time to drop the nap, maybe bring bedtime forward until he gets used to the no nap

Drop the nap.

I had this when my son was 2 as I thought he still needed the nap. He basically loves sleep and would have a nap at anytime of the day if I let him.

First couple of days are hard but it's all about distraction. If you see him flagging get him out in the fresh, even the garden.

Bedtimes become so much smoother, my son now puts his head in the pillow and he's out within a minute.