Bedtime Issues

I don't know if you've ever watched super nanny, but she says that you should keep it short and only say things like "it's bed time", "Get back in bed", "it's not play time" ect. and only talk 3 times after that you shouldn't say a word just go in and put her back to bed and leave. But beware it can turn into a game. Now I've seen it work on T.V. for her, it is a long process. Another thing you can try is not going in there or saying anything at all, just watch her were she can't see you and see what she does, she may get back in bed when she's tired and go to sleep on her own or just fall asleep on the floor, which then you can put her back in bed. What worked for me was reading a bed time story and singing songs (in bed). We started around 1.5-2 yrs. old and to this day(he's 5yrs. old now) we still read a bed time story and sing songs before bed. It was routine he new what to expect and in relaxed him a calmed him down for bed. But my problem wasn't him getting out of bed, it was him crying and not wanting to go bed in his bed, not to different from your problem. i don't know if it will make a difference or not.

Have you thought of skipping the nap? I know some kids still nap at this age - but a lot drop it. My daughter dropped her afternoon nap around 2 1/2 yrs. One day she just started protesting naptime, and became really cranky. She was super cranky even when waking up instead of being refreshed. And she resisted going to bed. One day we just skipped the nap. To my surprise, she was actually much happier, and told me when she was ready for bed! We still have occasional protests, but most of the time she is like an alarm clock. She wakes and goes down consistently unless she isn't feeeling well or our schedule is off due to travel or something. Good luck!

Standing outside the door is a neat game for her. You just don't think it is fun. She is becoming independent just like you. Doing for herself and making her own limits. I would put the toys back in the room and add a monitor for safty and shut the door. If she sleeps with a light leave it on if not playing in the dark is cool. If she wants to play let her she will tucker out and go to sleep. BUT make sure you don't let her sleep in because she was up late playing. This will be hard on you for a while but she will adapt and lack of sleep will take over just like it does with us. Play you Pay. If she cries and throws a fit let her and don't respond that's another game she wants to play. She has to learn when you say bedtime you mean it. Your going to have to be the bad guy Mom but is for her best she just won't realize it. Good Luck.

I have a 29 month old who is doing the same thing! It started in September and it is absolutely nuts! I have twin girls - 9 months and my son can scream for 2 hours (thus, sometimes waking them up). He jumps over the gate and then comes to sleep in our room. I am definitely not liking it - but can only fight it so long - as we want to get to bed before midnight. My son doesn't want to take naps either. Sometimes he starts to get really cranky around 4pm. I am trying to either get him to take an earlier nap or just hope that he can start winding down earlier. He used to go to bed at 8pm no problem and now is usually playing till past 10 (as he will find ANYTHING to keep him up).

Sorry - on little help...but wanted to let you know that I am going through the same stage.

First of all you are giving her the attention she probably wants, she more than likely knows the new baby is coming. Toddlers can begin to feel insecure and show it by becoming stubborn and defiant. Perhaps she doesn't need as long of a nap during the day. Try decreasing the amount of time she sleeps. Then at night instead of standing by the door waiting, sit next to her bed, then move a little bit further each night or every other night, until you are out of the room. Reassure her that you love her and that you are always watching. And know that crying isn't going to hurt her, if she cries for longer than 15 minutes then go back in, but let her cry, she will figure it out and know that she can't manipulate you into coming back in.
Be strong, love her, show her attention by sitting with her until she falls asleep you could even try the night time lotion, it is soothing and calming.

Goodluck
Merry Christmas

It could be a stage she is going through. Both my boys were wonderful at bedtime and naptime. Then out of nowhere they started playing and getting out of bed too. We just kept to our routines and left them in their rooms when they would get out of bed. We would go in if they were crying, but only then. We left a couple of books but that was it. We also made sure the room was re-kidproofed (it had been baby proofed, but they were older and could get in to more things.) Within a week or two they got the hint and were back to sleeping pretty well- that is until we moved them in together this past October. But that is a whole different issue... lol! Every once in a while they would go back to the getting out of bed and such, but we just continued the routine and left them in their room and they would again get the hint and start going to bed on their own.

my son is 15 months and in a big bed already...his choice. I have a monitor in his room because we have to keep our door and his shut, and this way I can hear if he's getting into trouble. I have been woken up in the middle of the night to hear him playing in his room, or reading a book. eventually he tires himself out and falls back to sleep. sometimes I wake up in the morning and find him still sleeping on the floor, or in his bed with a bunch of toys. My Pediatrition said that this was fine as long as he stayed in his room during the night. luckily my son can't figure out the door knob yet. If I were you I'd just let her play as long as she stays in her room with the lights off. She'll tire herself out.