Hi,
I have kept my daughter in her crib for that reason. Allie is 2.5 and if she was in a normal bed she would be doing the exact same thing. But because she is not able to get out of her crib, she can not leave her room. I have a nightly routine with her where she has a bath, reads a story then goes into her crib. I close her door too, I have since she was a baby. She is usually in bed by 7-730 on weeknights and 8 on weekends. I know the trick is sticking to a routine and keeping it. Have you thought of putting her to bed earlier so she isn't crabby in the morning? And to keep her in her room out a baby gate across so she is not able to get out? This worked for my friend.

Does she nap? If yes then maybe cut it out, or else make it earlier. If she doesn't maybe she needs too. It could be she is over tired.

We just recentley put toys in my daughters room (she is 3) but before then she had no toys or books in her room for distraction. And if she came out we firmly told her it was not acceptable and put her back in her bed. It didn't happen often.

She still tries to think of excuses to stay up late, or to come out of her room, but when we tell her it's not going to happen she just accepts it.

Also you could try a reward chart? Give her X amount of marbles in a jar. Tell her everytime she comes out she loses a marble and at the end of the week if she has X amount left then she can get a treat. She's old enough to understand cause and effect to a point.

But mostly, be firm. Our daughters bed time is meant to be eight thirty, but often it ends up later as we are out visiting family, or at the library or at her dance class. But I don't have an issue with the crabby in the morning. We also do a version of napping during the day.

Good luck!

Hi,
We had some issues for bedtimes and such. We have two boys and bedtime is strictly at 8 pm. I talked to our family doctor about some of the issues and this was her reply, "Bedtime is all about business in our house. Make sure you do the same routine every night. Whether it is a bath, brushing teeth, a story then bed, but if they get up, do not cuddle with them or say a word, just put them back in bed, tuck them in and leave and close the door." It will be tough for a few nights but she will understand that this is how it goes. Hope this helps!

I have to agree with all the parents but definately the last response. I haven't gotten to this point yet because my son is content in his crib and doesn't try to get out so I am avoiding the toddler bed until I really have too. But just continue to put your child back in bed. I am sure it will be a kicking and screaming match and may last for hours and weeks but once they finally give in it will be a victory (bitter swee).

But you and your husband need to be on the same page if not there is co sleeping with your child but I thought that was nice when my son was younger not as much as he grows.

Good luck!!

What kind of bed does she have? My son was doing this around 2 years old when we transitioned him to the toddler bed (took the rail off of his crib). It wasn't until we got him a big boy bed (queen size) that he went to bed on time and actually stayed there all night. I think for him he was uncomfortable. Maybe she needs more room? Otherwise -when we put him to bed we also stay right by his bedroom door to for a few minutes - because he will attempt to get out and leave his room to test the waters - we are right there to catch it and order him back to his room and tuck him in and leave again. I think if she knows that you mean business and you put her back to bed several times - she will eventually get it. If you think having the toys/books in her room is too much of a distraction you could remove them, but if she is anything like my son, she may have imaginary friends and just play with them LOL! Good luck!!

We kept the bedroom boring. There are no toys or things to catch her attention. Bed, chair, tall dresser. Her books are in the closet and all the doors have the child-proof knobs. She has a separate playroom and knows this is where we go to sleep.

I also have a routine. 7pm hygiene (bath,teeth...), help pick-up bathroom (bring dirty clothes to laundry room, hang towel...), kisses goodnight on the way back to room, 2/3 books with cuddling on the chair, and tucked into bed around 7:30. Sleeps until 7am.

DD is awesome with the routines. She will actually tell me it is dark, grab my hand and bring me to the bathroom to start her bath.