My 2 Year Old Did a 180! HELP ME!

Sounds like he is going through the separation anxiety stage. He wants mom and that's that. It is going to take time and patience alot of patience but you'll get through it. He will outgrow it over a periond of time which varies. You can't give in and let him sleep in your bed no matter how long it takes for him to sleep because once they start they think it is ok to keep doing it. That is a bad habit for kids to get into because it is a pain to break them of it. If he has to scream and cry himself to sleep let him do it. Eventually he'll fall asleep. He'll be fine let him cry.
D.

I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7 and 4.

C.,

I completely understand you. My dd is 20 months.
She has been self-soothing since she was 8 months and laying her down for bed or naps has been a breeze, she happily waves byyeeee and nigh nigh (she doesn't pronounce the "t")
We have a 9 month old and started sleeping him in his room at 7 months.
He still often throws a fit at laying him down or waking up so now she sees us "run" to him so she started doing the same.
Waking up thru the night, last night it lasted about 45 mnts, we went up, gave her water, laid her back down, didn't say a word, just shhhhh....
She then slept until 8am

She had been sick, I had picked her up and brought her to my bed but once we saw the nightmare - waking every hour screaming for an hour - we decided to toughen up so we could rest.

We went through it and now it only happens sporidacally but I got some ear plugs so I could sleep thru the night, I just can't function without my sleep.
My baby sleeps soundly but he wakes up early so I have to rest, if she cries, I am also 11 weeks preggo - I know she's fine, I can see her on the video monitor, it really takes away a lot from the drama by seeing them cos you "know" they're ok, it's just a fit cos they want their way, and that's perfectly normal....

But the longer you wait to let him cry it out, the harder it will be as he gets older they get more and more persistant ;)

Amy

Things will never go back to the way they were. Children go through stages and each new one brings new challenges. He has learned that he can outlast you at night and he gets to sleep with you. It's no fun to put up with the screaming, so we always would give in too, since we wanted peace and to be able to sleep. He is just learning how to push your buttons. Be patient and consistent as best you can and he will learn boundaries and limits. Try not to get frazzled and know that it will eventually morph into some new challenge.

Well he is testing the waters. He is trying to see how far he can go with you. I have also worked in Daycares and they are fine as soon as mom's leave. They just want to see if you are going to give in and give them what they want. You need to stop the sleeping with you ASAP. My husband and I have been married for 16 years, we have 3 girls, 6, 5 and 16 months. My husband started letting our oldest sleep with us and she still does everynight!!!. Now we have a 5 and 6 year old in our bed alomost every night!!!!!! Do you have someway of keeping him in his room, like a gate? I would just leave him in his room and not take him out. It may take a while but he will get tired and fall asleep. Our oldest would fall asleep in front of her gate. Then I would put her in her bed. This worked until my husband gave in one night and that was the end of it. I know it is hard but hang in there and don't give in even a little. Once you give in it is extremely hard to get them back into their routine. I hope this helps.

C.,
Your son may just be having a bad case of separation anxiety...he is realizing he's alone in his room and it's dark and scary for him. With my son, we had to have a very consistent nighttime routine, music had to play softly, nightlights, the works.
Another question...does he sleep on a cot at daycare? Could he be ready for a toddler bed?

Totally agree with Nancy's advice, she said it so nicely. I think you may need to toughen up your backbone to carry it through though. When you drop him off at daycare, wave with a big mommy smile, "goodbye" and leave on a happy note. He's clearly pushing your buttons and he's fine when you turn the corner, so it's you that needs to catch up to his new development.
As for bedtime, pick the night, soon please, and say goodnight and close the door and walk away. He may kick and scream and fall asleep on the floor or bent over a toy, but by the 2nd or 3rd night, it will go much better. Watch a Supernanny episode and see.

I went through that with my daughter when she was 2 or so. It about tore me up when I had to just walk away. I held my ground (most of the time) and it got better and easier. The hardest part was when her father took her after our divorce and she didn't want to go. I would cry for hours when she left. Eventually, after he tried to prove me an unfit mother, which didn't work, he was the one who came up with excuses why he couldn't get her or just never showed up. That tore me up until she turned 18 and I calmed down because she was old enough to decide. My daughter was 2 when we separated and divorced. It was hard those years. I could tell you tings that would curl your hair, but I won't. No need to. Her and her father had no relationship for many many years. I think she emails him some now.

I know it may sound mean and you may have a few late nights but walk out of the room and let him cry. My sister had the same problem with her two year old. She finally just had to let him cry and he fell asleep on his own. She felt bad but she knew she couldn't let him get away with doing what ever he wanted. At two children test their boundaries. If you give in to tantrums now they will know they can get what they want by throwing a fit. Just tell him "I am sorry but it is bed time and this is your bed to sleep in, good night." Then walk out of the room. You need to stay firm. Let him know you love him and you will see him in the morning. My nephew is staying in his own bed now and he even takes his nap better too. Good Luck.

You need to set your boundaries. I raised 5 boys & survived. You will too. You need to child-proof his room & put a gate in the doorway. Don't worry if he stays in bed as long as he stays in his room. When he climbs the gate, put up 2 gates. They are usually afraid to climb the 2nd one. Let him scream. There'snothing wrong with kids crying it out. You must let him know you're in control. In a few days he'll usually give up & life will go back to normal.{Whatever that is}. Good luck!

C., my pediatrician gave me the best advice for this kind of situation. He looked me straight in the eye and asked me how long I would let my child cry if he wanted to go play in the middle of a busy street. He then explained that crying will not harm a child. No doubt it is difficult on the parent, but so are mixed signals to a child. And those mixed signals (even when they come after an hour of tears) only serve to make it harder on the parent in the long run.

In the meantime, play "Progressive Peek a Boo" to help your son firmly establish that any seperation will be temporary. Each time you play peek-a-boo, you "disapper" for longer periods of time. Eventually this becomes the game of hide and seek. And soon enough, your son will be able to enjoy your time apart and even sleeping in his own bed.