Getting to Sleep

Right now your son is getting a big reward for not falling asleep on his own-- you in the room, and your undivided attention. I suggest you tell him he needs to stay in bed and go to sleep, then walk out of the room and shut the door. Park your chair outside the door, and if you hear him get up, go in, and calmly put him back in bed-- no talking, no scolding-- just put him back. Then leave again. It should only take a night or two before he gets it. It's also possible he's just not sleepy at that time, and you may have to move his badtime back (ug-- I hate it when I realize that!)
Good luck!

Put the 2 yr old to bed first and let him lay in bed and "read" books if he can't sleep.

I eliminated physical activity after dinner. Only calming things, so the body knows it's time to rest.

S

I recently put my 2 1/2 yr son into my 5yr daughters room..he is still in a crib and she is in a toddler bed...It took a couple weeks..But you just need to tell them to stay in bed and close the door...My daughter has a night light which my 2 1/2yr old doesnt mind...And I sing them a song or read a book...with the songs lights off already to give them a couple mins to adjust to the dark..and then close the door...If my daughter gets up I tell her to go right back to bed or I put her back..luckily my son doesnt climb out of his crib..when that happens then ill have problems...
Just stay firm and after a couple of days putting them right back into bed they will get the point

I do the same routine that you do with my 2 1/2 year old daughter.... the only thing that I add is that I put on a CD of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. She gets to listen to another story and I get to leave and finish my night. It doesn't always work that way but I put her back in bed and tell her that she can't get up anymore or I will ....

Try that. Good Luck!

Hi R.,
Your 2 yr old should be going to bed earlier than you 4 yr old. He may be having a hard time going to sleep because he is overtired. I HIGHLY recommend the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Marc Weissbluth for age appropriate sleep needs and schedules.
Sincerely,
L.