Major Change in 2 Yr Old's Behavior at Bedtime

We have a 2 1/2 yr old boy and we have had our share of night battles! Do you have a bedtime ritual?...brush teeth, read book, prayers, massaging head, legs, arms. We have this ritual and then we place a gate with clear plexy glass (plastic) attached to the gate (my husband attached it) This is so he can't crawl over the gate. We play soft music as well. We leave the door open and tell him we will be outside where he can see us. We has had his share of screams. We noticed that minimal talking if none is best. If he starts screaming sometimes we ignore it or we open the gate and place him back in bed without saying anything. So no reaction from us bores him and he eventually gives up. We do tell him a second time that it is time for bed. We noticed the less we interact with him the better and the more we interact(going in and talking) the more he acts up.
I hope this helps. Good luck! H. S.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but it could be a MILLION things! Your son could be getting ill, could be getting his "two-year" molars, could be acting out because of your daughter, etc, etc. Like you have always done, stick to a routine, bath, book, bed, except maybe add something.....warm milk? short movie?either way, good luck and god bless!

A.
I am a child and family psychologist and a new mom myself. I own and run Families by Design therapeutic Center in Boca Raton. First I would tell you to read Baby Wise series and the second book of the series is for Toddlers. Second, know that this is a phase and it will pass sometimes inspite of or regardless of what you do. We like to call it riding the wave. I would encourage you strongly to not give in and bring him in your bed last resort is to go to bed with him until he falls asleep and then you can leave. Tell me what else you have tried. What does he sleep with? has anything changed in your life or family lately? How is he doing otherwise?

I agree that the less you respond to him, the less he will cry. It might take some time though. We go through the same thing with our 3 year old every so often and the key really is to just put them back to bed. Don't keep giving in to whatever they are asking for (glass of water, another stuffed animal, etc.) and stay firm. Above all else, do NOT put him in bed with you if that isn't where you want him to sleep from then on. Once you cross that bridge, there's no going back so before you put him in bed with you, be ready to give up your bed! LOL.