My 2 1/2 year old is the worst about going to bed - whether it's naptime or bedtime.  My husband and I have to lay with him until he falls asleep and if he wakes up during his nap he screams/cries and then is miserable until bedtime.  He follows me around crying and whining.  If it's during the night, he calls us, cries or comes screaming to our room and gets in with us.  I would not be opposed to letting him cry it out but he shares a room with my 4 1/2 year old.  We get no sleep!  Please help.  Any advice is welcome!

Minnesota Mom

Does he have a sleep routine that you can follow for each bedtime and nap?  Does he have a lovey or blankie?  Can the 4 1/2 sleep in your room for a while so he can cry it out?  Did he ever go to sleep on his own?  Is this new separation anxiety?  Has something changed in your household?  Have you talked to your pediatrician for some tips?  There are some great books out there for helping kids go to sleep on their own.  We used the Ferber method, but that's a CIO technique.  Maybe the Happiest Toddler on the Block or one of the others can help, as it's a slower adjustment.  I feel for you and I wish you luck!

I have had huge success with the Supernanny approach.  A solid bedtime routine, and a loving goodnight kiss. They come out the first time, reiterate its sleepytime and put them back.  Second time they come out put them back, one word, Sleepytime.  Third to 50th time just put them back no talking, kissing, eye contact.  It was about a week of torture, a million put-backs and lots of crying on my son's part but it solved the problem and to this day (he's 5 and we did this when he got his big boy bed at 2) he doesn't come out cuz he knows he gets nothing out of it.  Of course we let him get a drink or pee once as valid reasons to come out (1ce each, and we try to make sure he pees right before bed) 

The key to my sanity for my daughter and I was the Sleep Lady book,  It was called Goodnight Sleep tight.  Absolutly the most amazing book I have ever read.  It is way rough the first few days that she suggests but oh man was it worth it.  My daughter asks me to go down for a nap if she is past the usual time.