how to get my kid asleep at bed time?

[ktuc]

MILATONE   its all natural sleep aide you find in the vitamins  it is wonderful

[lywb2168]

All right, lets see what I can add to the suggestions:

1.  If your child has an afternoon nap, then either let him have one earlier, or none at all.  If he has to have the afternoon nap then just 30 minutes or 1 hour, no more than that.
2.  Make sure you tire him as much as possible so he really is ready for bed.
3. Like everybody else have a routine, after dinner, you can play for 30 minutes, then bath, teth and read a book or watch some sort of cartoon for 15-20 minutes, depends on what you do.  If it is the TV then put the timer on and say "When the TV turns off it is time to sleep"
4.  Close the bedroom door and no matter what do not open it, if he comes out of the room then just take him back and close the door again.  If you need to put up a Gate on the door, so he realizes that youu really mean business, then go ahead and do it.

Children always try us, the see how much they can get away with, so be consistant and put down the law, and no matter how hard it is follow thru.  Yes you and your hubby might have a couple of difficult days ahead, but after he realizes that you are not going to let him play, run, or watch TV all night, and he sees that no matter the amount of cry and screaming he does, you are not letting up.  he will go to bed without a fuss.

Terrible twos are horrible but if one of you, at least has a very strong hand and the children realizes that he will not be able to play around that person, they really settle.

In my house, even though I have the "LOOK" down to the T, my girls are teenagers, but they know that I am a little more relaxing than their daddy, they will try somethings with me and depending on what it is I go along with it or not; but when it is something more serious and I do not want to make the decision wihtout the absolute consultation of hubby, I say, OK go and tell Daddy, they go "OH OK never mind then, he will say NO and we cannot gain say him".  Even though I am firm also, they know I am a little more soft handed than him.

[mjdoug03]

Just let them cry.  Easier said than done.  I would never be able to do that, but that's what people always say.

[jordandog]

MILATONE   its all natural sleep aide you find in the vitamins  it is wonderful

Yeah, okay. First, it is called melatonin and is a hormone. Secondly, did you even bother to read what the original poster asked? I'm guessing not, or you don't know zilch about kids or medications. This is about a 2 year old child and you do NOT just give them something to make them sleep. 

Getting the routine down is key, but not easy, and remember no child has ever died from crying because they don't want to be in their bed. The cries of your child hurt you more than them. Good luck.

[anubabs]

i have a 20 month old and i need to start the routine with her.

[tantricia44]

I sympathize with you, my little niece is at that age & she starts the screaming when my brother picks her up & starts heading up stares. LOL, they don't even have to say "it's time for bed" internally she's clocked to know when. My

suggestion are:
1. Don't make him take an afternoon nap. When it's time to go to in the evening he'll still be wired & energized by the nap. My Parents use to make us take an afternoon nap & it would give us enough energy to play all night long.
2.Keep him busy, so he can burn out that 1000 energy volt.

3.I gave my niece this stuff dog that plays happy, happy nap time when you squeeze it. If he has a favorite toy, give it to him only if he goes to bed w/out a fight.
4.Kids can read our body language & the tone of your voice.@bedtime,My brother has this tense look on his face & his voice sounds slightly higher.My sister in-law make this tense frown on her face, her lips thins as she's tries to keep her temper@check.

5.Babies normally don't know to cry when they get hurt or react to certain situations. Guess, where they learn this behavior? Yap, from mom& dad they read your reactions.Like if he falls but is not hurt bad gets up doesn't cry until he sees your expression then out comes the tears & screams!This is a learned negative behavior. Practice tough love, take him to bed but don't react to him in fact don't even say a word. When he realize that he as no power over bedtime the learned behavior will decrease & soon disappear. 

6. With what ever you choose to do, stay with it, stay consistent. Keep him on a strict routine!
  I hope this helps out


 :star:Hope this helps you out, he'll grow out of it.Unfortunately, for my brother, I think this not wanting to go to bed at bedtime will not be cured.Because, I think she got this genetically from me. I've never liked going to bed at bedtime. Don't know why but I'm still the same.LoL....