Name: Debra
Albany, GA
Number of kids: 3
Ages of kids: 10, 7, 2
Problem: Our 2 year old goes to bed without any problems. Goes through the routine. Says prayers, gets last drink of water and gives a hug and kiss goodnight. Usually within minutes he is up. When we take him back to be and tell him to go to sleep, he laughs and stays long enough for us to get out of the room then he is up again. This can go on for hours. We have tried no naps but it is not any better. We have taken his blanket away when he keeps getting up. We have then taken his Barney and Baby Bop away. We have recently tried spanking. All this does is make us feel like horrible parents. He thinks it is all funny hops and skips back to bed. Help!
Solution submitted by Angela from Harrisburg, PA: We had a serious problem with our 23 month old's bedtime that was only getting worse, so we had to make some tough choices. We started by closing the door, and putting a gate on the outside of the doorway. She would get up, open the door and cry like crazy at the gate. Bedtime took up to 2 hours of back and forth between us. So, finally, we put a child-proof door know protector on the inside of her room. After 3 nights of crying, she goes to bed without much fuss at all. I can't wait to see what happens in a week! Best of luck!
Another solution submitted by TPK from Albany, GA: We also had this type of problem. Our 2 year old was up 40-50 times a night between 8pm - 10 pm. We tried the reward system but he could not have cared less about the rewards. I tried letting him go without a nap but it did not help. He was also up 3-4 times a night wanting me to get in bed with him. We were usually up 2-3 hours during the night. I was exhausted and so was his brother with whom he shares a room. This went on for 2-3 months. I asked my pediatrician and he told me what to do. It sounds horrible and I did not do it at first. It was as a last resort. We told him that it was bedtime and that he needed to go to sleep. We went through the usual routine of pajamas, teeth and bedtime story followed by prayers and one last drink of water. I then kissed him good night and tucked him in. As usual he was up before I could get to the kitchen. I took him back to bed. I told him that His brothers needed to sleep and could not because he kept getting up. I also told him that mommy and daddy needed quiet time. I told him that if he got up again I was closing his bedroom door. As expected he got up. I took him to his room, kissed him again and closed the door on my way out. He cried, screamed, and banged on the door. After only one minute (Which seemed like an eternity to both of us) I opened the door took him to bed, and held him for a few minutes to comfort him, told him that I loved him, kissed him good night and told him to stay in the bed, and then I walked out. He never got up again that night. I had to do that the next 2 nights. He now goes to bed without any hassle. We go through our routine, and after I kiss him goodnight he says "night-night Mommy. " I no longer dread bedtime.
Please submit any more solutions.