Almost 4 year old screams and cries at bedtime

My almost four year old has a hard time transitioning into bed. We have kept the same routine since she was a baby: Bath time, story time, and then bed. She used to bring a few books into bed with her and say, "good night!". Then, she gradually become more demanding," I want a drink" "lay by me" etc.  Soon after, I put a child proof door knob on her side of the door to keep her in bed.  She would just scream and cry. So then I did the thing I thought I would never do.  I gave her a portable DVD player in bed so she could fall asleep watching a show..I know, horrible! Anyway, I want to know how to get her to go to bed willingly.  She does have difficulty with transitions, but we follow a schedule and give her plenty of warnings. Help would be appreciated!

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

I'm afraid that the best guidance I can offer you is to 'bite the bullet' and continue to set firm limits around what you expect.  Don't defer to her requests and opposition. Almost always the solution to thisproblem is for parents to stay firm. There's no 'easy way out', which is what many parents are seeking.