Bedtime struggles with a 2 year old all of a sudden?

Question

My two year old son, who up to this point has been a perfect sleeper and going to bedder, has all of a sudden started to really struggle at bedtime. He wants the light on but can't sleep with his room so bright. He cries for hours and asks for me. The only way he goes to sleep is if my husband is really stern with him (which I do not like AT ALL). I have stuck to the same bedtime routine since he was born. There haven't been any changes in our life that I would think might cause this problem. What are some other options for helping him wind down and sleep? Help! Thank you :)

Answer 1

At 2 years of age, your little man has a lot going on...he's developing his verbal skills at a greater pace, sometimes parents are trying to toilet teach at that age, and he's also trying to be more independent (I do it myself!) and yet he knows he's terribly dependent on you. It's all very confusing and this is the age when some kids start behavioral difficulties, like biting and bedtime difficulties.

Letting him cry for hours alone in his room usually just reinforces his frustration and what he sees as lack of attention to his needs. What worked for us was, well first of all patience even tho it is hard and you are SOOOO tired!! yawn!! We would take turns getting up and going into his room and saying very calmly, "I know you are upset, but it is night and you should go to sleep now. I will see you in the morning." And then leave. We did it every 10 minutes or if we couldn't stand it anymore.

You might try finding him a book about someone going to bed, like maybe a Sesame Street book or something like that... maybe "Elmo Goes to Sleep" would be a good book to teach him that everybody has to go to bed. You wouldn't have had a dog "put to sleep" recently would you? Or know someone who had? It just occurred to me that my sister had trouble sleeping after that....she was afraid she wouldn't wake up like our dog...

One of these days, your son will be a teenager and tower over you and you will wish his problems were as simple as sleeping in a room by himself! :)

Answer 2

The change is that he is now 2. get a night light for him some children begin to have nightmares or night terrors which are really bad nightmares and are afraid to go to sleep. This can come from the fact that they are growing and beginning to realize just how small and vuneralbe they are in an abstract sort of way.

Get him the night light. Try adjusting his schedule what worked before might not work now. perhaps get him a special stuffed toy that you can tell him will help keep him company or perhaps put a monitor in the room so that he knows he can be in touch without the fuss it might reassure him. Two is tough so both of you hang in there it will pass soon enough.

Answer 3

A kitchen timer is great for the last 10 minutes before bedtime starts. Get him a nightlight - not the bulb kind but the 'glow' kind, tell him what to expect every night (we're going to brush our teeth, say our prayers, tuck you in, read one bedtime story, kiss you goodnight and turn out the light and then you'll close your eyes and sleep). MOST important is that you stick to a routine and follow through on what you say. One is one - not two or three because he's whining...

Answer 4

You could take him to the store and let him pick out a night light. Not one of those tiny ones that just cover the light outlet but one like a little light, they make some cute ones in walmart that aren't too bright, but aren't too dark either. You could try letting him pick out a new stuffed animal sleep buddy. You could let him take a bunch of books to bed to look through until he falls asleep. Play some bettime music for him or get some books on tape (the library has lots) so he can listen to it and look at a book while he falls asleep. At this age they start needing naps less, maybe try to shorten his afternoon nap, and he will be sleepier at night.

Answer 5

I do not think this is a Bedissue but him atempting to assert himself. Get him a nightlight-maybe a cute kid one-let him pick for then he can't be allowed any reason not to like the light in his room www.parentcenter.babycenter.com is a site that tells all you could psossibly need from 2yrs and up including sleep problems. Itsays to shorten a bit his afternoon nap also in the PM watch for signs that he is sleepy and then make that his bedtime)shorten nap time only if hes not tired) an set a bedtime routine like bath-warm with some LAVENDER Lotion for Lavender calms,relaxes-there are baby products with lavender in them made for this purpose. can also give him a massage which also relaxes. an then take him into his room for bedtime you can lie with him for approx 5-10 minutes(explain you will only stay for several minutes) if he cries -OK to go in ONE Time hold,stroke,comfort but tell has to sleep in his room for is a big boy now and after calm tell him good night and do not go in again.This may involve him screaming for sev.days BUT once he realizes that no one will come he will settle down. Your husband should not go in either for children will respond to attention even if negative and then will again do what brought the attention- its called negative attention seeking behaviour and although it does not make sense to adults children are not grownups and their behaviour is not based on sense or reasoning. Your husband Can and Maybe Should be the one that goes in after he starts screaming(NOT FUSSING_NO NEGATIVES but hold him,cuddle with him for approx 5-10 minutes and then too say Goodnight firmlyand no one o in again. It may be tht he now expects your husband-its become a pattern.The site I mention is very good please visit-can also bookmark it or make it a favorite for future reference for advice.

Answer 6

I cannot stress enough to give him a routine. It is crucial for young children to have a constant schedule or things that they do before bed. For example, after dinner maybe give him a bath, read him a story, put on some easy listening music then go to bed. This will help him be more organized in the future and will give you a little peace of mind as well.

Answer 7

Is he napping in the afternoons? R u back to work outside of the home? Is he attending daycare? Could be a host of other things u failed to mention as his daily routine. Try playing with him before bedtime and tiring him out a bit. He is still growing u know.

Answer 8

My toddler (19 months old) has been a rebellious sleeper for a while now. He NEVER wants to lay down and go to sleep Even if he is REALLY tired. I have found that sitting down next to him in the evening and reading to him has worked really well. Lay one hand on his upper arm and if he tries to get up just firmly tell him it is bed time and make him stay layed down. Keep a dim light on enough for you to see by and turn it off after he falls asleep. This has worked for me for some time now so good luck!

Answer 9

try a colored night light they are not as bright. my daughter all of a sudden is telling me there are monsters in her closet and doesn't want to go to sleep either i think it is just another 2 year old stage they go through. try to talk to your husband about how he is handling the situation. maybe your son needs a good middle try taking a little more time then usual with him during your routine but when he starts to stall say in a calm but stern voice "it is time to go to bed."

Answer 10

my daughter is the same age and we are having a similar time with her. I stand in her room until she is asleep and i dont talk except to say goodnight and that i am not leaving the room until she is asleep. This works for me but she really plays up her dad. She knows her dads the soft touch and she can play him, but she knows im a little bit firmer with her. fair but firm. try getting someone else to do the bed routine for a short time it could work. I just wish i could get her out of wanting chocolate santa's.