Almost 2 Suddenly Hysterical About Going to Sleep.

I have a 2+yr old daughter and she just did this 2 nights ago. When she was 8 months we started the ferber method and it work like a miracle. 2 nights ago, she was hysterically crying for almost an hour. she refused to sleep in her bed and she wants me or my husband next to her. she got used sleeping with me during her naptime but i only do that during her naptime. night time, she sleeps by herself. so we waited and let her cry ( i know its hard) but she is testing, and she got tired and went to sleep by her own. the next day, she went to bed without any protest. you have to stick with it no matter what. the book will tell you that this thing happens. good luck!

I've heard a lot of kids want to skip naps around the age of 2. So when my son decided he didn't want to take naps anymore we made a deal, if he skips his nap he has to go to bed earlier. I love it because he fights less at bedtime now.
Also I sit with him fo a few minutes before bed either to read a story, sing a lullaby, or just talk. What ever you choose be consistent as soon as you let an hour or even a few minutes slip (or the "I'm thirsty/I'm hungry" excuses...if yours hasn't figured this out yet, be ready for it, 'cause he will)...trust me, he notices and he'll try it every time.

He may be in pain. Is he getting teeth? Or he might have an ear infection. Some kids only complain when they lay down and it puts pressure on thir ears. If it continues you might try some tylenol to see if that helps and take him to the pediatrician for an ear check.

Don't get me wrong, this sounds like normal 2 year old sleep behavior - testing you to see if he can stay up. If that's all it is, you might want to try to CHANGE his routine. The current routine makes him cry, so try something new. My kids could throw some pretty good tantrums about not going to sleep. However, they only got "hysterical" when in pain. It took a couple ear infections for me to catch on to it being discomfort and not jus tbehavior.

Either way, it will pass eventually :)

He is testing you. He is testing you. He is testing you. Repeat that over and over. Stick to your guns and don't worry about what caused it. He may have found that it is sooo nice cuddling with mama, but if you give in it will be that much longer until normalness returns. Be strong. He is trying to reach your breaking point. Once he finds it, he will try to manipulate you with it, so don't give in. I know I make it sound like he's your enemy, but, trust me, from years of similar experience, He is testing you. And you DON'T want to give in. Hold on to your sanity and be strong, sister.
Good Luck!!!

It could be an ear infection just like the other mama said. Also, it could be that he isn't getting ENOUGH sleep. From what you said he's only getting between 8 1/2 to 10 hours a day and that is not enough for a 2 year old. I know my son personally, if he goes to bed later than he needs to, he will throw a humongous fit and he'll wake up even earlier than normal. Not sure why this happens--overly tired? I'd definitely develop a nightly routine and move his bedtime up. Start the routine around 7 and have him in bed no later than 8. JMO. Good luck!!!