Hi Mamas-
My son will be 2 at the end of next month and I do believe we are the midst of the "terrible twos". He's been really whiny lately and FREAKS out when it's time for bed. He cries like he's hurt and goes back in forth in his crib like he's possessed. I know he's ready for bed...it's obvious he's tired...Do I ignore this or what?
How about having a little cuddley storytime. Let him have a little control, too. If you say that's all and he fusses, tell him one more then and off to bed. Works with my grandson. Some of the terrible twos and threes has to do with not having control of anything.
Hmmm.... have you consulted your Priest about this behavior? I'm joking, but it probably seems like you should, huh?! haha... I'd say maybe try getting him into bed earlier, maybe shortening his afternoon nap? Maybe change up his routine a little at bedtime and sit with him and read a book. Is he ready for a big boy bed maybe? I'm not sure, but I'd probably try not to give much attention to his behavior b/c obviously he'll see this gets a rise out of you. Hopefully its just a phase and next week it'll be something else new and exciting for you! ;)
Hi K.,
My son is 6 now, but I remember those bedtime battles! What we did was take the advice from Supernanny in her book "Supernanny: How to Get the Best from Your Children." As she says, the technique is "...a means of gradually breaking the cycle of dependency, so your child learns that he can get to sleep without your being in the room."
Also, my son at 2 or 3 loved to get right out of bed and come downstairs to be with us. I remember many, many nights when we would have to scoop him up and carry him back upstairs to his bed, saying, the first time we did this, "It's bedtime, honey," then putting him back in bed and leaving the room. The next time, we'd just say "Bedtime," and scoop him up again and head upstairs again. The third and numerous subsequent times, we would scoop him up and say NOTHING, just carry back for the umpteenth time and put him in bed again. Believe me, we were exhausted, but after several nights of this it finally worked and we've have almost no problems since then (except he always likes us to stay in his room for three minutes after lights out, then he's fine when we leave.
Good luck, it's a tough one to solve easily.
K.,
What kind of bedtime rituals do you have with him? Do you start an hour or so before you want him in bed? You could try some bedtime lotion..........reading a story and rocking for a little while to put him at ease......the night light is a good thing too! You might try putting on a bedtime CD as well to give him something soothing to fall asleep to.........it's hard to know with little ones sometimes, but he'll let you know in his own way! Hope you are able to find an answer! Good luck......single parenting is tough, but sounds like you are doing a great job!
D.
Hi! My son did something similar-- until my older sister suggested a nightlight. Does your son have one?
A.
well it could be he is afraid of something in the room because of the way it looks with the lights out. I've been having the same issues with my one year old daughter. since he is older I know this sounds funny but it may put him at ease. ask him if something or someone is scaring and then if he says yes tell him to tell them to go away and they aren't supposed to be in his room. it gives them the confidence that they are in control. while my daughter has issue with screaming when i put her to bed. I've found that if I give her a bedtime snack and drink while watching her favorite movie she is easier to put to bed although she still cries its not as hard or long.
K.....I have no advice just letting you know you are not the only one, my son will be 2 June 5th and the guy will be so obviously rdy for bed, even say night night and gather blankets, then we go through our bedtime routine and as soon as I put him in the crib he Jumps and screaches...what I have done is wait a while and just listen close by, and after he has thrown his blanky out of his bed I go in and hand him back his blanky, speak in a soothing voice that it is bedtime, lay him back down and usually once is enough...can't wait to hear other moms advice!
Lots of luck for your situation too! = )
B.
Our daughter is the same way and she's only 19 mos old. I have to pry her little fingers off my clothes when I lay her down. She thrashes around and I'm afraid she's going to break her neck. She gets bruises on her legs where she whacks the crib bars. I think part of it is their temperament - we have a strong-willed redhead - and part of it is the stage. I want to get her into a toddler bed in the next couple of weeks - I'm afraid she's going to try to jump out and really hurt herself. I've tried everything I can think of - we have a bedtime routine, etc. - but she's in a very clingy stage in general and I think that's part of it. She's also aware of the fact that things go on after she goes to sleep, so we've started turning off the lights and we all "go to bed" at the same time. We read a story, then we all 3 lay down in our bed and snuggle for 5 minutes before I take her to her room. We rock for a few more minutes and then I lay her down. I feel horrible that she goes through this, but honestly, it lasts about 10 minutes, and then she goes to sleep. It's a grueling 10 minutes, mind you, and if it lasts longer than that I go to her, but because she does go to sleep most of the time, I know she's ok. It breaks my heart, but I think (hopefully!) it's a phase she'll outgrow - sooner rather than later! Good luck!
Two's can be the age where kids start having night terrors. Is it possible that there's a railroad or some other loud noise that might be happening during the night? My nephew was having the night terrors and my sister figured out that it was linked to whenever the train would come by at night. She somehow managed to make him understand what it was and that it wasn't a scary thing and he was okay after that. The going back and forth in his crib is what concerns me, doesn't quite sound like normal "I don't want to go to bed" behavior. Just a thought, hope it helps.
Have you thought about moving him to a toddler bed? We had lots of problems getting out oldest to sleep until we moved her to the bigger bed. After that, she slept just fine. I think it had something to do with the knowledge that she could get out of bed anytime she wanted too so she was more comfortable. It might take a week or so for him to understand that he has to stay in bed once you say it is bedtime but he will learn. If you don't do it already, start reading stories to him in his bed right before he goes to sleep. This will also help him get comfortable and relax before going to sleep.
