Bedtime for Toddler

We were dealing with the same thing as you and my daughter is the same age as your daughter. This all started when we moved her to a big girl bed. The doctor recommended putting a chair next to the bed and sitting in the chair until my daughter falls asleep and then every week moving the chair little by little until it is at the door and by then she should be able to go to sleep without you being there. I will say this did not work for us, but I thought I'd throw it out there to see if it might help you. This has been going on for three months now (both naptime and bedtime) and to be honest with you, the only thing I am finding to work is cutting out her nap and putting her to bed at 7:15-7:30. She falls asleep immediately. I have talked to the nurse at my doctor's office and she said that there are some kids who do give up their naps at 2-1/2 years old. She wakes up around 8:00 so she's at least getting 12-1/2 hours of sleep. We still do quiet time in the afternoon and sometimes she will fall asleep, but I hate for her to because then it's hell getting her to go to sleep at night because then she won't fall asleep until 9:30-10:00. And she's actually been doing really well without her nap. She gets a little cranky around 5:30 or so, but I can deal with that stress a whole lot better than the not going to sleep stress. Good luck to you because I know how hard it can be. :-)

my son is about the exact age and we are experiencing the same problem! his bedtime is normally 8pm. we usually give him a warning that it will soon be bedtime and once we do, its hell from there. he wants his cars, trucks or water anything to avoid bed. we're not sure if he's really not tired and could go to bed later or what, bc he wakes up pretty early (anywhere between 5-6:30, lately its more 6am, but he used to wake up at 7am or later), still takes a long nap. we've tried everything, so i'm curious to see what else we can do.
sorry, this isn't really advice. we've been wondering also if maybe its time for a big bed. not sure if your ds is in a crib or not.

Just curious, but how long have you tried the methods that you mentioned for? Putting her back to bed and leaving her there won't work right away, and I wouldn't really think anything would work right away. I think it is probably hardest on mom when this happens, because you have to just sort of let them work it out. In my opinion, letting her settle herself would be probably the best option, since they have to learn to get themselves to sleep. Of course, it does depend on the kid, but still... Good luck... I know it's tough.
E.

Maybe classical music to drown out noise and give her something to listen to, a favorite toy to have in bed with her that she can play with before falling asleep independently. If you have to be there to get her to stay, instead of being in her room until she falls asleep, I'd go right outside her door where she can't see you or maybe can only see your foot or something...then if she starts to get up or anything gently tell her I'm right here, go back to bed or something like that. If she can't SEE you then she's not watching you and thinking you'll be there all night. It kinda keeps her accountable without you becoming a real crutch to fall asleep. Best wishes to you!