My almost 3 yr old has been in a bg boy bed since his 2nd b-day. It started ot great, but slowly as he realized he could get up, then open his door, then climb the gate...it goes on...it's been getting worse and worse. It seems like no matter what time I lay him down in afternoon or how tired he is, nap time is a fight. There are those days that I end up getting angry or feeling like I stoop down to his level....what can I do to get him to stop fighting it? It will take him some days an hour and a half to fall asleep. HELP!!!

I've been dealing with that forever, it seems like. Same thing at bedtime. Until a few weeks ago, when DH and I were talking. My oldest just wasn't getting enough sleep, and we were both feeling like it was interferring with her behavior. So, we started a bedtime routine for her, which included getting her to sit in bed and read stories with one of us.

So, bedtime got better, but naptime was still a battle. I was thinking about how different the two had suddenly become, and I made the same changes. I don't put her sister down for her nap without settling her down (she's a baby); I think I was forgetting that Audrey isn't very far removed from being a baby. So, I've been putting her sister down for her nap about half an hour before Audrey's nap, then I snuggle with Audrey on her bed (believe it or not, I can scrunch beside her in the toddler bed), read her a story or two, tuck her in, kiss her, and she goes down for her nap without any fuss. Weird and amazing but true!

I think that, by using the same routine for naptime and bedtime, I'm preparing her. She knows she's expected to sleep by my actions. Whereas, before, I was just putting her in bed and shutting her door. I don't think that she understood that naptime was time to sleep. Maybe that's what's going on with your son?

We are dealing with that now. I'm thinking nap time is over for us :(. Unless he's being really cranky I don't even make him take one. If he's cranky though he's not that hard to put down, I just lay with him until he falls asleep (5-10 min.).
I don't know what to tell you - but I'm sorry - naps are hard once they figure out they can get up!

Moms have to be very clear in their own heads as to what they want. Do you want him to stay in bed? You can't really make him sleep, but you can insist that from 1:00-2:00 (for example) your son must stay in bed even if he just lays there awake or looks quietly at books. You can establish a rest time every day where the house is now quiet. This can continue until your child is in school all day or even if you home school. If he keeps getting up after you instruct him that he is to stay in bed, then I would tend to think it's more of an obedience concern (barring problems or emergencies).

We are dealing with the exact same thing! We converted ds crib last Wednesday and I haven't had much sleep since. We have to stay in his room with him until he falls asleep, then he wakes up sometimes a few hours later and ends up in the bed with us. Then, doesn't want to go to sleep. Naptimes are gone, I think, and it is very frustrating since that was my time to unwind and recharge. I don't know what the answer is.

Moms have to be very clear in their own heads as to what they want. Do you want him to stay in bed? You can't really make him sleep, but you can insist that from 1:00-2:00 (for example) your son must stay in bed even if he just lays there awake or looks quietly at books. You can establish a rest time every day where the house is now quiet. This can continue until your child is in school all day or even if you home school. If he keeps getting up after you instruct him that he is to stay in bed, then I would tend to think it's more of an obedience concern (barring problems or emergencies).

Yup! All four of mine went through stages where they 'thought' they were through with napping, until I showed them differently. :lol:

[lovesign]

Joy [welcomewave]

How did you do this, if you don't mind me asking. I really need some advice, I am going crazy! I have tried sitting it the room on the floor, putting him back in the bed, he can open doors and won't stay in his room. I don't know what to do, but I know something needs to be done.

How did you do this, if you don't mind me asking. I really need some advice, I am going crazy! I have tried sitting it the room on the floor, putting him back in the bed, he can open doors and won't stay in his room. I don't know what to do, but I know something needs to be done.

Smack that little butt! ;)
Or if you don't spank, I would think you could just keep putting them back in bed until they get so tired of it they stay. Of course I do not do it that way because I'd rather cut to the chase and I have better things to do all day then keep returning a child to his bed. Not that spanking eliminates the getting up either - somedays Gavin will go right down, other days he gets 4-5 spankings before he finally stays :roll:.

Moms have to be very clear in their own heads as to what they want. Do you want him to stay in bed? You can't really make him sleep, but you can insist that from 1:00-2:00 (for example) your son must stay in bed even if he just lays there awake or looks quietly at books. You can establish a rest time every day where the house is now quiet. This can continue until your child is in school all day or even if you home school. If he keeps getting up after you instruct him that he is to stay in bed, then I would tend to think it's more of an obedience concern (barring problems or emergencies).

Exactly.. I had to do this. DS will lay on the couch ... I am firm about this. 2:00 is mommy time. DS & DD have to lay down. I have to do this or else we are all cranking monsters! Just get into a routine/schedule & stick to it as closely as possible.

Keep your chin up!

How did you do this, if you don't mind me asking. I really need some advice, I am going crazy! I have tried sitting it the room on the floor, putting him back in the bed, he can open doors and won't stay in his room. I don't know what to do, but I know something needs to be done.

What method do you use to teach your son obedience in any other area? If you want him to stay in bed and he clearly knows that you want him to stay in bed, but he chooses to get out of bed, then that's disobedience. If you are teaching him not to touch the stove, you are trying to avoid having him learn the natural consequence which would be to get burned. He will try you and you can admonish him, but after that, what consequence would he receive from you to know that it's unpleasant to disobey? I think if he learns to obey in the everyday issues like "stay in bed", then it will be easier for him to obey when you tell him to not run into the street. He will learn that your word is his little law. :wink: He will also begin to learn to obey God.

Now, having said that, if your son gets up late in the mornings, it's not reasonable to expect him to want or need to sleep at noon. So earlier bed times and earlier morning risings may help. Also, as Nici said, a daily routine will get him into the habit of a rest time every day. A daily rest time will be so good for you, too. A couple of hours just to have a little quiet! :D

Smack that little butt! ;)
Or if you don't spank, I would think you could just keep putting them back in bed until they get so tired of it they stay. Of course I do not do it that way because I'd rather cut to the chase and I have better things to do all day then keep returning a child to his bed. Not that spanking eliminates the getting up either - somedays Gavin will go right down, other days he gets 4-5 spankings before he finally stays :roll:.[/quote]

I agree. In a calm voice tell him that if he gets up he will get a spanking. Then if he does get up, spank him. I don't use my hand, I use a wooden spoon. But I am always calm and never look at him with anger before or after. But it definitely works. It is our God-Given resposibility to teach them obedience and right right now is their God-Given time to be teachable. You can do this and once he gets it, there will be a lot less spanking. But you must be consistent in it until he gets it. And always love love love afterwards.

My dd is in a toddler bed as well. For naps and bedtime I have one of those safety knobs for the door that prevents her from turning the doorknob. My rule is that she has to be IN HER ROOM. If she is up playing quietly I don't mind because she makes her way to bed at some point, normally after about 15 minutes of playing. Once I know she is asleep I crack the door open so that if she needs something she can come out and get me.

She was able to climb over a gate so that wasn't going to work. Once she knew how to open the door I had to prevent that. Now she knows that when Mommy says it is bed time and she goes into her room the door is staying shut until she falls asleep. I always stay close by so that if she hurts herself or REALLY needs me I am there. It took about a week for her to get used to it but now when the door is closed she knows that I am only coming in when it is time for her to wake up from her nap/sleep or if she is hurt.

Sara

Wow! I just want to say thank you for all great advice. I started using our bedtime routine at naptime, and for the most part it seems to be working. He still has his days when he gets up, but it's not as often and he is falling asleep faster. I also started laying the baby down first. That has done wonders! For both of us. It gives him and I cuddle time, and I don't feel rushed to get him in bed so I can tend to the baby.

Thank You!!!!!!