How Do I Keep My Son in Bed!?????!??!?

We put a pressure gate on my older son's door for a while. It provided a barrier to replace the crib, but demonstrated that he wasn't going anywhere (but could see out) and it worked pretty well. He didn't fuss too much about it. Once he got used to the idea of having to stay in bed, we removed the gate.

But I think all the sleep stuff depends on the child. My second son has always been more challenging about sleep-related things but I'm really starting to believe he just doesn't need as much. (but we still make him stay in his room.)

Does he have a reading light by his bed? When we were little my parents gave us a reading light and a "big chair for books" (ie a study pillow) in our bed. The rule was that we could take as many books to bed as we wanted, and could have the little light on, and could stay up reading as long as we wanted, but that we were not allowed to get out of bed. We'd fall asleep within 10-15 minutes 90% of the time, they say. We are transitioning our son to a "big boy" bed after Christmas this year and plan on doing the same thing for him.

If you don't like this idea I suggest reading the Ferber book "Solving Your Child's Sleep Problems" - he talks about dealing with this problem - I believe he advocates putting your child back into bed and closing the bedroom door for progressively long periods of time (like 1-2 minutes the first time, 5 minutes the second time, 10 minutes the third time etc).

Not sure if you are open to the idea but my son really enjoys having me lie next to him until he relaxes for bed. It's tough to do with a toddler bed depending on your size. Also, my son started having some nightmares around 2 so perhaps he is also a little afraid. Sounds like he really needs you during this time of transition. Good luck!

I had the same issue w/my son at about the same age! I also had the same issue when he was in his crib! I had to buy a crib tent! So he was basically caged in! LOL Sounds terrible...but it was the only thing I could do. When I converted his crib into the toddler bed...he too kept getting out. So I ended up putting his crib back together w/the tent! When I was ready to try the bed again...he did just fine. There are nights when he still pushes me to the limit...keeps coming out w/excuses. Potty, water, scared...something. But for the most part he stays in. (he's 3.5 now)
So maybe put the crib back together for awhile. I know...it's a pain! But it worked for me.
Good luck!

J.

I am having the same problem with my 22 1/2 month old. We put him in a toddler bed about two months ago to move his baby sister into the crib. At first he did great, but this past week he has been getting out of bed at nap time and doesn't want to lay down if he is in bed. Yesterday I decided to change his nap time to a little bit later and it has been much easier the past two days. Bed time seems to depend upon how worn out he is, but is still going ok. I am going to try to walk him back to bed without talking to him if the problem continues. Good luck!

I have the SAME problem with my 2 yr old. We converted his crib to a daybed just as an interim before we buy his big boy bed, because he constantly climbed out of the crib. When he finally falls asleep, he's a great sleeper. I never hear peep out of him until the morning, which is usually 7:00, but getting him to fall asleep is a whole different game. I've learned that leading him back into his room and putting him back in bed without talking to him works faster than telling him to get back in bed over and over and over. Sometimes it takes 10 times and sometimes it's just twice before he falls asleep. My husband is still laying with my 4 yr old to sleep and I WILL NOT make the same mistake with this one, so if I have to walk him back to his bed a few times, it's MUCH better than laying with him!!! Good Luck.