How to Get My Own 2yr Old to Stay in Bed?!

[MamaJ]

she is driving me NUTS. nap time, bed time...in/out/in/out. She needs a hug, she needs to go potty, she wants to give me a kiss, she wants to sleep on the floor.

any tips? i'm so tired of this. (she's not in a crib- started climbing out at 20 months).

she turned 2 in June...and she knows she's being naughty.

[thecrazyisout]

No idea...I am just getting ready for my 2 yo to transition, he is starting to realize he can try and climb out of the crib....so, I have no advice, but I fear the same pain you are going through. Good luck!

[kitkat]

Have you tried at gate at the bedroom door? If your LO is a climber, try a tall walk-thru gate that has vertical bars which would make it virtually impossible to climb.

DD was pulling a similar stunt at the same age. We tried the gate, but she got smart and figured out how to climb over it. Then we told her if she came out, the door would be closed (she hates the door being closed b/c she can't open it).

Be prepared for tears and fits, but it does get better as long as you are consistent.

[familyschoolcare]

she needs to go potty take her just before and if still saying this then she is using that to deal sleep time. She wants to give you a kiss/hug she is trying to deal sleep time. She wants to sleep on the floor if you can let her my sister did that the my nephew stopped asking after one week. I feel you pain I go threw this with my 12 year old every time hubby is away which between, boy scouts, the training for he civilian job, and training/duty to the navy reserves seams to be a lot. Stay strong and if you do not let her have the excuses that are trumpery excuses then eventually she will stop asking. Two years old might be a little to young to put a consequence to getting up out of bed use your best judgement. I implemented the every time you get up you go to bed 10 min earlier the next day. One day my daughter had to go to bed right after dinner. However, she no longer gets up after going to bed.

[Meeko]

Have you tried at gate at the bedroom door? If your LO is a climber, try a tall walk-thru gate that has vertical bars which would make it virtually impossible to climb.

DD was pulling a similar stunt at the same age. We tried the gate, but she got smart and figured out how to climb over it. Then we told her if she came out, the door would be closed (she hates the door being closed b/c she can't open it).

Be prepared for tears and fits, but it does get better as long as you are consistent.

All of the above.

However, if you do not want to use a gate, just be consistant. If she gets up, take her hand and put her straight back to bed. Do not say one single word to her. No cross looks or frowns......nothing. She WANTS a conversation. Be silent, take her hand and guide her right back. Even if it takes a hundred times....and she screams bloody murder. She WILL learn that getting up is pointless if she gets the same exact reaction each time.

[AnneCordelia]

Make sure you hit all her needs before bed so you can say, "No, it's naptime now and you need to rest." Water, hug, potty, ect.

I don't talk to children who get out of bed. They simply get escorted back by an emotionless me and put back in bed. As many times as it takes to understand that they cannot leave their bed for naptime. It seems they all go through that phase when they hit the 2's...I've had to camp outside the bedroom doors for a few days during naptime to catch them ASAP when they get out of bed. No talking, no nonsense, only bed.

[sassysue]

All of the above.

However, if you do not want to use a gate, just be consistant. If she gets up, take her hand and put her straight back to bed. Do not say one single word to her. No cross looks or frowns......nothing. She WANTS a conversation. Be silent, take her hand and guide her right back. Even if it takes a hundred times....and she screams bloody murder. She WILL learn that getting up is pointless if she gets the same exact reaction each time.

Exactly this! Say nothing euther.Just keep walking her back,show no emotion.

[cheerfuldom]

Can you just close her door during the naps or put up a gate? I do the same thing as the others mentioned, meet all the needs and everything else is "no, go back to bed". I put a small potty in my 3 year olds room and she potties in there during nap time but I know not every youngster can handle that. She did that since she was 2 but my second daughter (who is 2 now) could never be trusted with a potty in her room. We close the door on her for naps and she can't reach the door knob yet. I of course check on her once she is sleeping.

[kitkat]

Thought of you last night!

MamaJ, do you have an update? How are things working with keeping your little one in bed? My DD has been coming out of her room more and more lately. Give her an inch and she takes a couple miles :: Last night was the last straw. I was putting some laundry in my room and found her laying on my bed. It was dark and it scared the you-know-what out of me! So, today the walk thru gate went up at her door. Hoping things are working out for you!