Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Can't they just stay in a crib forever...

So we are going on night 3 in the big boy bed. It is all good once he falls asleep, but getting him to sleep is the hard part. I have ended laying down with him every night to finally get him to sleep, but I really didn't want to start that! We have yet to turn the doornob around so I held it shut tonight when he tried to get out. He didn't cry and I know he isn't scared in his room at all. He only tried to open it three times then gave up. I just don't know when I should go back in to lay him back down - I really don't want him to be able to hang out and play with his toys - or do I? Maybe I need to get one of those video monitors. Did you have to lay down with your child to get them to sleep or did you just let them hang out and play in their rooms until they fall asleep on their own?

PLEASE HELP! Suggestions???

I have several pictures to post, but of course since I usually blog after Will goes to bed you obviously know why there are a lack of posts.

Aside from the bedtime issue Will is so much fun these days. Talking like crazy and just a joy to be around. I love him sooo much. All for now...going to bed!

11 comments:

Shannon said...

Hey girl, hang in there it does get easier. I have lots of suggestions but too long to write in a post. Shoot me an email and I'll pass along our tips to you. As an FYI, we had to move Alex to his big boy bed well before he turned 2 since he started getting out of the crib around 9 months old!

Angie said...

Sorry it's still rough. Transitions are always so hard. I hope things get better for him (and you!) really soon.

Dee-Dee said...

Oh, man! I was looking for pictures!
Solicit help from the little pink bottle until he gets used to it! Ha! Beau was definitely a nightmare for a while - we turned the lock around and locked him in (at 18 months old). If I could really hear him in there playing and making a big ruckus I would have to go in there and, this will sound mean, but threaten to take away a lovee, toy, etc. if he did not stay in the bed. He went without his Mack truck a lot for a little while!

Abigail and Ansley said...

No suggestions here. It was pretty hard...and still is. I tried putting the kid proof doorknob on the door and closing it, but when it was real quiet and I thought they had gone to sleep, I went in and they had pulled everything out of their closet and dresser and were having the best time! What a mess! Now we close them in the guest bedroom which is REALLY dark with nothing to play with in there...that is working... for the time being. Good luck!!!! :)

The Unlikely Homeschooler said...

Well hubby gave me the best advice back when we were going through it. He just kept telling me we needed to remain consistent. Which meant there were nights I/he went in there 10+ times and laid him back down. The first time was the only time I did any 'bedtime routine' stuff....kisses, prayers, books....after that it was just being scooped up and put back in bed and told that this was bed time and not to get up.
I thought I would go mad....my daughter we put in a big bed at 16 months and she never ever attempted to get out of it and still at 9 almost never gets out of bed after being tucked in.
But the consistency worked and after a couple of weeks the appeal was over and he knew he couldn't stall bedtime...bedtime was bedtime...
GOOD LUCK!!

Valerie said...

Let me know what works- we finally gave up and put him in the crib in Kaede's room. Who knows what we are going to do in less than a month when she gets here.

lyla said...

as i read this, mamie is out of her bed playing with babies and the things in her room for about the 12th time. she has been spanked and spanked and scolded and scolded and just doesn't care today. i don't think she'll be getting a nap today at all...i can hear her banging around in there as i type. she's been in there for two hours now, and still awake. i feel your pain. naptime is the hard one for us. i wish i could just duct tape her to the mattress.
i read your comment on jennifer's blog--you made me want your salad. that sounds yummy. do you make the dressing or just use straight rice vinegar? i feel like i don't know how to cook or make anything after living in the rental house and just eating whatever was easy to make for four months. i need some new good recipes!

King Family said...

I feel for you. It is so hard when they won't sleep. We just moved Avery to a big gril bed too. She is doing great so far(only 3 days). Allie used to be difficult though. One thing I found was just putting her back in bed with out saying anything and even not making eye contact with her. It would make her so mad, but she got the idea eventually. She still played a long time before going to sleep. I hope it gets better sooner rather than later. Hope you are feeling ok.

Ryan said...

I'm with dee-dee...I had to take things that Mary Paul loves. Time out means nothing, nor does a pop but take away her favorite book or blankie for a time and she responds. Usually just the threat of that works. Also, during naptime she gets to pick a few (3-4) books to keep with her in her bed. At first she would only play with her books, but now she usually falls asleep without playing with her books too much. So, maybe letting Will pick a few toys to have with him. Good luck!!!

Kelly said...

Don't you just love putting your pregnant self into a crowded bed with a toddler? I know I do;) We have good days and bad days, we are still trying to find a good, consistent method that works...sorry, no good suggestions here yet!

Heather said...

Fun times! Been there done that...this too shall pass! Hayden was a booger to try to keep in his room...and still sometimes is!!! Just gotta keep taking them back to their bed. Don't start laying w/ him...I made that mistake w/ Gracie. Only in extreme cases...like last night @ midnight when Hayden was still awake....do I let him come get in my bed. Whatever works for you! Keep us posted! :)