My toddler son will not stay in his room at night. He even is climbing over the gate. Help?

Answer 1

My nephew started doing this too at about three and a half. He had slept fine in his room until then but for some reason one night he woke up and decided it was playtime. His mom and dad were worried because they'd find him playing in the bathroom and in the kitchen at three a.m..They tried alot of different things and finally installed a half screen door to his room with a doorknob cover on the inside(the door opens normally from the outside). The bottom is solid and the top is a screen. Now his mom and dad can hear him if he calls out to them but he can't leave his room for any evening adventures.This also makes it so he can see out into the hallway like before he started getting up. His mom said she doesn't have to worry that he'll get up and get hurt because they didn't hear him now.

Answer 2

Is there something in the room that he's trying to get away from?

If not its probably because the room is boring... "...everything that has been said and done... etc..."

One of the first culprits to our active kids at night is SUGAR. We have a rule in our house: No sugar in any form after 7pm. Just an innocent sweet or even something in the food (we put a little sugar in spaghetti sauce) can go far into the night.

The other thing is to wear them down... but not too much, enough to get them a little woozy... sometime in the early evening will be best... (more often that not though... the daddy and mummy knocks out first!)

Answer 3

I sympathise, it can be very frustrating. All you can do is be persistant, each time he gets out of bed, just put him back in. Try to stay calm, as emotions can be high when everyone tired! The main thing is not to give in, don't just give in for the sake of a peaceful night, because this way he'll always do the same thing. Once he realises that theres no point in getting out of bed, because he's getting sent back constantly, he'll stop. There's no time limit on how long it will take, could be days or even weeks, but it will work eventually. Just be strong!! Goodluck

Answer 4

Our son Joe, had the same problem. I work in education with special needs children and put a few of the things that I have been taught into place so here goes.
Firstly make his room a fun and exciting place where he wants to go.
Spend time with you child in the room not just at bed time show him its OK and safe.
Play a little game of wheres mummy. Your child has to stay in the room and you can move into other bedrooms, then ask him "wheres mummy" he will come to his gate to look for you, you can then say "peekaboo mummy's here you see mummy wasn't far away". Each time try to leave it a little longer before you show yourself. You will be building up his courage to stay on his own a little longer,
If you can afford to put a TV and DVD in your child's room tell them he can watch a DVD or TV in his fantastic room.
Don't forget bedtime stories are great get him to help you tell the story even though he might not be able to read.
Don't just put your child into his bed and walk out, spend a little time with him.
Finally be patient (easier said than done sometimes) don't give in to your child remember you are the adult and you make the rules. Be calm, be consistent and above all keep to a routine.
Each child is unique if not we would be robots good luck and have FUN it worked with Joe.
All the best Don.

Answer 5

take the gate down immediately, my 18 month old did this and fell really bad i just stopped him going down the stairs, some kids are born climbers and gates can be dangerous. Let him stay up a bit later, get a bed rail, and put a little mattress next to his bed incase he falls over th erail. Good Luck xx

Answer 6

My 3 year old does the same thing. I tried just putting him back in bed, but that was just a game. Now we sit at the door and he stays in his bed. If he gets out of bed, I leave. When he wakes up at night, I just point to the bed. He gets in bed, and I tuck him in. Then I wait just a minute or two and he is asleep. Toddlers have fears, and being in a big bed means he can get out of it.

Answer 7

He's probably too scared or else wants attention. First try a night light then if it don't work stay with him till he goes to sleep, and if he stays up and wants to play just put him in bed and walk away every time he comes to you. He will probably scream and shout a lot, but you'll have to have the will power to ignore him and try not to comfort him. Eventually he will hopefully get used to it.

Answer 8

how old is ur son??
my son never wants to sleep at night he crys for a while and just gives up have u tried if u stay in u bed tonight mummy will read u ur fav book or a reward the day after or a star chart or make it somthink he likes like a thomas chart??

Answer 9

try and make his gate little higher so he cant climb. i had to do the same. also when he wakes dont give him eye contact, dont say a word just place him back in bed and leave, every time he gets up do the same, if u stick with it he learns he has to stay in bed, it may take few days but worth it in the end. try watching house of tiny tearaways if u can they give loads of good advise, you could also try sticker charts if all else fails, tell him if he stays in bed without getting up he gets sticker on his chart and if he dont he gets a big cross for being naughty, if he can get all goods in one week he gets treat at the end like new toy or trip to park. my kids were good as gold with that, you can do chart for the day too and get him to chose his stickers too, get him really involed with it. good luck.

Answer 10

who's in charge?Get a bigger gate if he screams and shows off and you take him out of his room he has won why don't you stay in his room read some books until he gets comfortable with being in his room as in lets go and read some stories instead of go to bed empower him to choose what stories because the gate is a battle ground make the reading enjoyable it will work to your advantage like everything it takes work