My 2 Year Old Doesn't Want to Sleep

We've been going through almost the exact same thing with our 2 1/2 year old daughter. We never had any problems with her taking naps or going to bed at night. For about the past month, she started fighting me when it's time for a nap or to go to bed. I got tired of constantly fighting her so I stopped trying to lay her down for a last week. She also started waking up 2-3 times during the night, which she never did before either. I don't know if it's their age or what but it's exhausting. My mom said that I never took naps & that maybe she's just at the age that she doesn't want to take a nap anymore. She also keeps telling me to be patient & maybe she'll just eventually stop waking up at night. Geez, I hope so cause it's like having a newborn again. I'm not getting much sleep. One of my friends told me to start taking her outside more in the afternoon or evening to play so that she'll be really tired & not wake up. That hasn't worked so far.

Put a lock on the door and tell your child he will stay in his room until you get him in the morning. If he doens't play quietly, give him some consequences. Proof the room so he can't hurt himself ie bed, toy box and either take the closet doors off or lock them.

My son did this when we transitioned to the toddler bed because he was able to get up when he wanted and we did it about 2-2 1/2 also. I am sorry to say that this was also the point where he decided never to take a nap again unless at school. We curbed the early morning wake up by pushing his bedtime back an hour and that seemed to keep him asleep. You might also try making his room a little darker with some curtains or window tint. If his room is safe to play unattended (we locked our son's closet doors and took out all furniture except for his bed and toy box and a small bookcase that was anchored to the wall plugged all outlets, etc) you could also try putting up a baby gate and encouraging him to play in the morning till you are ready to get out of bed. HTH

5am/6am is not bad; sometimes my 2 year-old is rearing to go at 6am unfortunately for me. Their sleep habits do fluctuate. With my daughter I put some books on her bedside table to read in the morning on the weekends. I hear her wake up sometimes at 6am and she plays in her bed until 6:45am. Then she gets bored and I go to get her... make breakfast etc. Sometimes she does have trouble taking a nap; however, I still have her stay in bed for quiet time. She usually reads or plays with her dolls in bed. I think you may have to start over with the toddler bed and just put him in his bed after your routine. (reading, etc.) then sit with your back to him. If he gets out of bed, just continue to put him back in his bed without saying a word then return to the floor with your back to him until he falls asleep. He will learn that you mean business and that he needs to go to sleep. I did this with my daughter when she first transitioned and she does not get out of her bed without permission. She does sometimes cry at night b/c she doesn't want to go to bed. However, I let her fuss a little then return to her room and tuck her in again. I never remove her from the bed that only makes it more difficult the next day. If he wakes up early in the morning, try the toy technique so that he has something to play with or read until you go and get him. Maybe he is just ready to get up and play. I know my daughter is a morning person. However, that my give you an extra 45 minutes! Good luck.

My 2 1/2 year old son has been doing this for a while. I have hopefully found the trick. I have a baby gate. When he goes to bed at night or naptime, I repeat some sleep rules: 1. stay in bed, 2. no crying, 3. stay very quiet, 4. go to sleep.

We go through the rules everytime we go to bed. I have also added that if he gets out of bed once, the baby gate goes up. If he gets out of bed the 2nd time, the door closes. He does not like either of those so he stays in bed.

His room is pretty dark too so that helps with the sleeping in the morning. If he wakes up too early, I go to his bed and reassure him that it's still night time and to go back to sleep. He may cry a little bit, but it's only for 5 minutes or less.

I've also added a night light and he has a small flashlight in his bed to help him feel a little more safe. I think this is the age fears start setting in, but not sure. Hope this helps!!

Oh my Lord! Please don't lock your child in their room! CPS calls that neglect and/or endangerment!!!
Look, throughout a child's life, things constantly change. Eating habits, sleeping habits, etc- as he gets older and becomes more independent, there will be things that he doesn't think he should have to do anymore. Be creative- the book thing worked for me- it might take some time but you'll figure it out. Lack of sleep is what motherhood is all about- so you may have to retire the idea of a 7-8 hour night's sleep all together. Let me suggest an AMAZING parenthood teaching series called Love and Logic. The principles in those teachings are priceless, and they will help you get through times like these with all of your dignity, and not feel like you're going stark mad. The most important thing you can do is be patient and consistent... children respond very well to that- but you have to outlast them. Good luck to you.

M., the answer might just be plain old consistency. Two weeks may not be long enough to reestablish a pattern although it may be very hard for you. You should be consistent in getting him to stay in his own bed, keep lighting to a mimimum, remove toys, and keep the room quiet. Make sure he gets tired before nap time with some outdoor play, etc. and have nap time for him for at least 30 min even if he just lies quietly in bed and keep it on a consistent schedule.