how do i get my 2 year old to stay in bed?

Question

I have tryed putting her back repeatly not talking etc. I have tryed the babygate at the door she just gets out and crys at the gate or emptys her closet and dresser (she has no toys in her room). she has a bed time. 8pm and she is sleeping and relaxed before she goes up to bed, but it still takes her until 10:30 11:00 to go to sleep with us returning her to bed. (she can't get back in her bed by herself). i don't know what else to try. she also gets up on her own a 6:30 every morning and wont go down for a nap in the day unless we are driving somewhere. she gets very crabby durning the day and is tired but won't go to sleep. help me

Answer 1

Did you know that human dna matches chimp dna 98%? I mention this because humans are the only primate (others are chimps, orangs, gorillas) - we are the only primates who even put our infants and toddlers down.

It is unnatural, scary, and damaging for children to sleep alone. It's also a very new practice in the terms of human experience.



We are biological creatures, we have biological needs. Our infants/toddlers brain wiring puts them in a state of high alert when they are alone and away from mommy. Just imagine how stressful this state is.

Some people force their babies to give up and accept the unhappiness and stress. That doesn't mean the baby likes it, and there is a tremendous price paid in trust, iq, and relationship between mom and child. Your daughter is lucky - she is so strong and she trusts you so much, she is continuing to tell you what she needs - you.

So, try natures way - let her sleep with you as nature intended, and you will all sleep much better.

Stop fighting nature; it's amazing how well it works to go with the flow.

Answer 2

I have the same problem with my two year old son. What I do is I make his room boring, his dresser has locks on it so only I can get into it and his closet has a lock on it as well. No toys in there during nap time and bedtime (it is hard work because my husband doesn't want toys anywhere but in his room). After that I let him roam if he wants. He knows that he needs to stay in his room (that took a long time of redirecting and stern warnings) and if he stays in his room he eventually falls asleep even if it is on the floor. I chose my battle and I would rather him sleep then fight him to stay in bed to sleep. Good luck, remember she won't be two forever!!

Answer 3

This is yet another phase that toddlers go through as they test your patience and their new found independence.
My daughter would do the same and we just kept the door closed as she would entertain herself with singing and piling blankets on the floor, herself, or her bed. Once the singing stopped, we would peek in and she was usually asleep or sometimes testing us further by hiding under a blanket acting like she was asleep until she heard the creek of the door.
Lots and lots of patience for this phase. It will be over in no time.

Answer 4

There's this really cool idea that I found online somewhere at one point, I just can't think of where. (heh.) Anyway, it's called the "bedtime stoplight". You put it on her door, and it's got, naturally, three "lights" on it. Explain to her that she can only leave her room like a car: green means you can go, yellow means you can only go if it's truly needed, but if it's red, you can't leave unless it's an emergency. You make these "lights" detachable, and tell her that if she wants to come see you, she needs to bring the "light" with her, and you hold onto it, slip them back onto her stoplight in the morning. So once/if she hands you the yellow one, you have to make sure to tell her she can't come back out, she's used up all her chances. You can make these out of paper and velcro, if you like.

Answer 5

You are at the mercy of your little toddler. All you can do is keep taking her back to her bed. I have 4 children, and they all stayed in their cribs till 3 years old for this very reason. At two years old, your child loves to explore!! She is testing her independence, and will continue to do so until she has exhausted all possibilities. Just hang in there, and be consistent!!Good luck

Answer 6

the 2yr old bedtime is the worst age...only because they're too big for a crib, yet it's fun to get out of bed and roam around. if you're doing everything you can and including being stern that it's bedtime...then my only suggestion is be patient, it gets easier when they're older. it's common though at that age.