At my wits end with toddler re bedtime

[Rockandgrohl]

My not quite two year old has always been a dream to get to bed, but the last week has been an absolute nightmare, literally screams like a banshee until you get her out of the cot/buggy/car/put her down from my arms (feel like I’ve tried everywhere). she screams until she’s sick so I can’t leave her (not that I want to either). Is there a regression about now? I’ve never held much store in regressions but surely there has to be a reason?!
I’ve ended up just letting her potter round until she wants to be held and then lettin her fall asleep in my arms but even then she fights and screams when she feels herself dropping off. it’s been midnight all week and I’m exhausted and really need her to go to sleep earlier. Any ideas?? She’s on one nap of an hour never later than 2pm and normally sleeps from 8-6! I did think maybe drop the nap but surely she’s too young plus she’s utterly exhausted…

Hi OP, no advice but found your thread as we are having the exact same issue! Turned 2 a few weeks ago and for the last month bedtime has been an utter shitshow, whereas before it used to be 20-30 mins and done. I'm losing my mind. Pregnant with the second and just want to be in bed by 8pm, but spending 1-2 hours a night trying to get the toddler down.

Mine doesn't scream but my god he can talk the hind legs off a donkey. 'Don't want a sleepsack, want socks on, my back hurts, there's something in my mouth, mummy are you sitting down, turn the lights on, want to go downstairs, hello toby/thomas/gordon/any other bloody train character he's thinking of in the moment'. It feels endless. Even when I sit with him, hold his hand, rub his back and say 'ok mummy isn't doing anymore talking now, if you don't want to go to sleep you need to do quiet time in your cot, and i'll stay with you' he still faffs around and chatters away for ages.

I was also wondering about dropping the nap but he is SO ready for the nap when it comes, drops off instantly, and like you we wake up by 2pm. I'm genuinely at a loss. Last night DH came up to tap out so I could eat my dinner and DS screamed for 20 mins so I went back in. He settled down and chattered away again for another 30 mins. It's just unreal. Really hoping it's a regression and will just settle down soon, I'm not ready to lose my evenings totally to a 9pm bedtime!