Sleep Habits in Toddlers, Mpls MN

I have a very VERY strong willed two and a half year old. He fell asleep by himself, until he learned how to climb out of his crib. We tried again after he broke his leg and could no longer climb out - but we made the mistake of staying in the room until he was fully asleep. Recently, we moved him to a regular twin size bed, in his own room. After about a month of laying on the floor next to his bed until he fell asleep, I had enough. I explained to him that from now on, he was going to fall asleep all by himself, that daddy and I weren't going to be in the room any more. I explained he was aloud to sing or talk quietly to himself, or play with the few stuffed animals he has in his bed. After potty; washing hands, face, and feet; reading 3 stories and having prayers (in the same order EVERY night) I kiss him, tell him good night and leave the room. I leave the door cracked a little, and he has a little night light. If/when he gets out of bed, I lead him right back to his bed, tuck him in, kiss him again, tell him I good night and I love him, and leave the room again. Every time I have to lead him back to his bed, I do one less thing like not kissing him. I haven't had to do any more than that. We're still working on it, but we're doing well. I wasen't able to let him cry it out, he would (and did) break the door! As long as I stay consistant, it works, and he'll get used to it!

HI R.,
Have you tried to slowly move his crib away from your bed? Each night a little bit farther away until it's in his room? Though I've never experienced this, a close friend of mine did and it seemed to work for her. Also, I've heard about putting the crib in their room and starting off staying in the room until they are asleep and then each night leave just a little bit earlier until you leave and they are still awake. Good luck!

I tried to respond and DD foot hit the keypad so hopefully I'm not doing a duplicate. My DD has always slept in her own room but has had episodes where she needed to be rocked or had to have us in the room with her until she fell asleep. We didn't want to make this a habit so we would just skipped the rocking and staying in there and just let her cry it out. We put toys in her crib and the toys stayed there all the time. Recently DD was switched from crib to bed and the only thing that is working is shutting her bedroom door and letting her cry it out. After two weeks she doesn't cry when we shut her door. It does get better but some parents don't feel it is right to let them cry. Yes, time to time I have rocked her especially when she would wake during the am hours.

Have you read "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley? She's got some really good ideas that might help your son get to sleep on his own. Good luck!