2 1/2 Year Old That Won't Stay in Bed

Schedule changes can play havoc, but it isn't permanant. No worries. I would try sitting with him til he falls asleep. Be patient it will pass. :)

Keep making him get back into bed...No excuses... He gets out, you take him back. The only thing you should say is "Its bed time... Go to sleep,stay in bed. Love you" as you are tucking him in... Then walk out. Each time you have to put him in, say less... But keep putting him right back.

It will take a little while, but he needs to know that you will put him right back and so its no use to get up. Then once you get to potty training thats the excuse... But you gotta keep putting him back. He is old enough to understand (but still to young to remember, and or care) that you want him IN bed to go to sleep. Give him a reason... (you gotta stay in bed cause momma needs some mommy time, has to clean up, needs to relax, is going crazy, etc.) He may be more of a logical, there is a reason, thinker than just "mommy said" Think about it his way Momma says its bed time, but doesn't go to bed herself... Hmmm, why should I? Keep any lights near his room low or off. Keep the noise down.
Turn on the TV at the usual volume and go in his room... Are there vibrations or loud noises he can hear and want to check out? If there are think about maybe moving the TV to the farthest wall away from his room(if possible)

Good luck and keep taking him back.

Put him back in his other bed? I've heard that it's a good idea, if possible, to keep up the old bed for some time that way you can show your toddler that "if you can't keep yourself in your new bed then you'll have to move to the old one for some time and we'll try again later."

Hi, K.,

We had issues with our little girl climbing out of her crib before we even turned it into a toddler bed...for the first few days of naps and bedtimes, one of us would stay right outside her door. then when she would get up, she was punished right away and told what she should do...stay in bed! We also have a rule that if the sun isn't up yet, you have to stay in bed. That rule doesn't apply for naptimes, but we have just explained that she doesn't have to sleep, just rest her body for a little bit. She always goes to sleep, and has only questioned it once..."but, mommy, the sun isn't asleep?" It has worked for us....Hope you find success....Being consistent at the get-go makes all the difference.

We were having the same problem with our 20 month old. She transferred from crib to bed with no problem and then....
We tried putting her back in bed as soon as she walked out of her room (she can open the door)but it didn't work. Tried putting her pak-n-play, she'd climb out. Finally, I put the baby gate in front of her door. She can't get out and I am not in the hour and a half fight of putting her back in her bed. She does get our of bed, but only plays for a few minutes, then climbs into bed and goes to sleep. So much more peaceful around here since we started putting the gate up!
Hope you find something that works for you soon!

Im assuming youre leaving his door open?If so, close it. I went through this with my 18 month old.We switched her last month and the first few days she was fine and then all of a sudden she would start getting up walking into my room or her sisters room.I have a video monitor in her room so I decided to try closing the door and watching to see what she does.She cried for a minute or two at first then she turned on her crib toy(light up) and crawled into her bed and now everynight I close it and she does fine.Good Luck!!

Persistence will win in the end. After your initial bedtime routine is over, and he gets up the first time, just tuck him back in and say "time for bed". Stay calm, but firm. You might want to wait out of eyeshot but close enough so you can easily return him to his bed. The next time he gets up, pick him up and tuck him back in. Don't chit-chat (that's exactly what he wants you to do); just put him back to bed. Continue this until he remains in bed. It may take numerous times in one night or even two nights, but it works. Yes, you may get tired, but be persistent. Best of luck!

Just keep putting him back in bed, maintain consistency, and eventually he'll get the idea to stay put. There is no other magic means. Maintain control and consistency.

my daughter does the same thing...you just have to keep putting him back in bed immediately after he gets out...he'll get the picture, it may take a week or so, but it's really the only thing that's worked for me. the longer you let him keep doing it, the longer it will take to fix the problem.

I shut the door or put up a gate on the door. For my son, we actually made a half door. Take out toys if they are a problem - it's only temporary. I treated their rooms like a giant crib. They were confined to their crib, now they are confined to their room. If he falls asleep on the floor the first few nights, it's ok. He'll soon learn that it's time for bed and the bed is the most comfy place to sleep.

Re-establish his routine eg bath, story, bed (whatever works for you) and be consistent with it. Then when you put him to bed say good night (or whatever works for you) and leave the room, the first time he gets up you tell him it's time to go to sleep now and put him back in, every other time he gets up put him back into bed without saying a word. The key is remaining calm and not speaking to him, therefore he is getting no attention from getting out of bed and will eventually give in. Do this every night, consistency is the key. No matter how much he is talking or trying your patience you must not talk back. It can be really hard at times, I know, I have used this method with both of my boys when they have gone through this stage and it has worked in days. It is a lot of effort and can be frustrating for a few days but it does work as long you keep it consistent. It doesn't matter if you and your husband alternate putting him back in to bed as long you both follow the exact same pattern. Smoetimes it's easier to "tag team" him because it shows him you stand united on this one and also helps each of you remain calm if you take turns.
Good luck, this one can be tough on you. Hang in there, it will pass.