vtmomof2 responded October 5, 2007 at 10:59AM

  Life is crazy but wonderful.

I would put up a baby gate in the door. I did that for my son. Also, my daughter never liked the toddler bed, and would not stay in it. I bought her a twin size bed and couldn't get her out of it.

  dustbunny responded October 5, 2007 at 11:04AM

  dishing the dirt, cleaning the chaos

I put up two gates, wall-style...the pediatrician said it was fine (I felt bad, like it was a cage & she was like, us parents, we do what we've got to do). DS got over it after a while and he's fine now at 4- loves his bed. So, either way, it won't last forever...:)

I also find music helps A TON...pick a song your child likes, burn it on a cd five times in a row and press play...right now, they ask for the muffin man song...it gives me leverage :)

  rockergirrl responded October 5, 2007 at 12:05AM

  www.findbarefootbooks.com

Have you tried putting him down earlier? I know it sounds crazy but that sometimes is the magic ticket. He might be overtired by 8pm. If a child is overtired they can act that way instead of just falling asleep like you would think. I would suggest trying to move it back a half hour and see what happens. You might be surprised.

  Smasuzzo responded October 5, 2007 at 1:07PM

  

i agree withe rockergrrl 8 seems pretty late he might just be super tired... also wtih everything going on getting dinner bath everything all at once maybe hes all wound up... i would try to start things earlier... maybe give him his dinner earlier so he can settle down give him his bath then when you all have dinner he can relax near you... and off to bed

  karriejean responded October 5, 2007 at 2:26PM

  Massage therapist, martial artist, butt-kickin' momma.

Okay, so my son doesn't go to sleep until 9:00! But, we bathe, maybe watch a short video, and then two to three books to him in bed. Then we turn off the lights and snuggle in and he's pretty much instantly asleep. Does he still nap during the day? How long? Griffyn (who's almost three) has never been a great sleeper and still climbs into bed with us and his bed is right next to our bed (it's a child-sized futon). Maybe try snuggling him to sleep? It's worked great for us.

  LucsMimi responded October 7, 2007 at 9:48PM

  

Thanks for all the replies, everyone! Usually Luc doesn't mind the toddler bed, but we've had trouble with him staying in it lately. He does take a nap during the day, usually between 11-1. At daycare he naps easily, with Mommy it is a bit harder. I think he just pushes her buttons. I'm thinking moving up his bedtime 1/2 hour might work an we'll probably try that in the next week or so. Anyway - thanks for all your suggestions!

  AlexandBellasMom responded November 6, 2007 at 2:02PM

  Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life. Sophocles

Oh please do let me know how this works for you! My 20 month old son is a terror when it comes to sleep! He will NOT go to bed without me in it, and since he sleeps with me, god forbid if Im not in the bed while he's asleep! He wakes constantly througout the night making my night terrible! I don't think Ive slept an entire night in 20 months!