how to get my kid asleep at bed time?

[prissygirl1]

i have a two year old who just hit what most would call his terriable twos. when it is time for bed he crys and wants up to play or potty never actually trying to lay down. it has gotten to the point me and my husband are loosing sleep and he works early in the mornings. what can i do to help my little monster fall asleep at bed time. :-

[ajann1983]

the best thing to do is to start a bedtime routine. he is gonna cry your ears off but after a while he should get used to the routine and little by little his crying fits won't be as long and soon he will be used to going to sleep.

[stephaniepiseno]

My four year old daughter is the same still help me too 

[Tinachelune]

the best thing to do is to start a bedtime routine. he is gonna cry your ears off but after a while he should get used to the routine and little by little his crying fits won't be as long and soon he will be used to going to sleep.

I agree completely!!!  You need a routine or a system and always follow through with it.  After a week or two, or even a month, your kids will just know..."Hey, it's time for bed and my carrying on is getting me no where".  I'm not saying it will be easy, because it's not but it does pay off. My daughter don't even fight with me anymore. She justs gets up, kisses us goodnight and goes to bed.  The hardest thing was getting her out of my bed.  lol........That was a year long battle, but WE WON!   

[sungup]

My parents always laid down with me... My dad says he had to do this weird thing with his eyes. Here's how he describes it:
He stared into my eyes and blinked once, slowly, then opened them again. He repeated this until I started mimicking him. Then he blinked his eyes slower and longer until eventually I couldn't keep my eyes opened any longer (idk if this really works).

A warm drink helps too (milk, tea, even water).

[squirrelgirl44]

Just having a routine. Sounds like you should start at least 30 minutes before bedtime to "wind down." My daughter is almost 6 and we have a routine of pjs and toothbrushing and a story.

[JaiStarr]

Had the same problem when my daughter was 2 I didn't have much of a routine but a system...

1. Outside for running around or dancing/jumping inside. Anything to get rid of the built up energy. Outside play was more effective then inside, the sun can be so draining in miami lol
2. Wash hands for dinner. Nothing too light, it had to be pretty filling so she wouldn't be hungry a hour later
3. Warm bath and teeth brushing (her signal that its almost bedtime). She's now full and clean I also used a little j&j sleepy time lotion on her face and body.
4. 15 quickie minutes of TV if its not too late. Optional of course. I learned not to let her sleep with the TV on anymore like me but she did get use to it unfortunately, lesson learned.

I wasn't in this exact order every time but that's it. Hope this helps

[Tinachelune]

There should always be a routine and it should be consistant.  After a while, the kids will get the picture that you mean business and it will start getting easier and go more smoothly.  They want to "test boundaries" like we did when we were kids, but we have to remain strong and always follow through.  =)

[jessicatwister]

read a story, play some soothing music.

[35klye]

before you go to sleep, lay down and read a book with him

[poppy1]

If he takes a nap, make sure its a morning nap, that way he should be tired at night when its time to go to bed. A bath before bed is always nice!

[mtmailey]

some chamber music may help.

[kapeh12]

As I don't have children, the only things I know were what my parents did, what I hear my siblings do with their children, and Super Nanny   

From several Super Nanny episodes, she was a big promoter of the bedtime routine that others have suggested.  The key is always consistency.  The only other thing she noted (not sure if this is your case or not) is if your child has a habit of getting out of bed/leaving the room, Super Nanny's advice is only when you first put your child to bed, you give hugs/kisses and say good-night.  After that, ignore the ploys the child will try to do to stay up, and if they leave their room/bed, to escort them back to bed without saying anything more to them (that was the key - being silent)...then keep escorting them silently until they fall asleep.  The families that had this issue found the trick worked and within various amounts of days their kid would go to sleep with no issue.

Good luck!

[Getinonthis]

I'd say start by speaking positive about your child, terrible - awesome, Monster - angel.
1. depending on the season or your location I'd suggest a bath before bed and something to drink.
2. As mentioned in an earlier post. Create a consistent bedtime routine, remembering that you are the parent,
meaning this won't happen overnight, and though it pains you to bear a little crying you have to stay consistent.
3. change your switch to a dimmer that will set the atmosphere, your child will get so used to it he'll be asking you to dim the light.

Hope this help. All the best.

[amstewart]

Is the child still napping in the afternoon?  I know for my kids, once they were staying awake at bedtime it was time to take out the daytime sleep.
It is hard adjusting to not having the nap, but nighttime goes so much more smoothly.  Worth a try!