continues night walking

[MRoos]

hi Supermomma

i tried following your advise but my situation with my 2 year old is not getting any better,
last night for example i put him in bed at 7 i read him his bed time story and tucked him in, left the room and went on with what i was doing.  not 10 min. later he was standing is the door out of bed, i ignored him, then he came closer. i took him back to bed and spoke nicely to him, it didn't work he got out of bed 5 times. then my husband let him sit with him at the TV and there he fell asleep.  at 10:00 he woke up, i took him back to bed constantly, i watched the clock untill 11:00 i gave him at least 6 hidings, to stay in bed as soon as i turn around and walked out of his room he is behind me. not even 5 min later he is at my bed side. i even closed his door and my bedroom door, but he keeps on coming to our bedroom, standing next to our bed and crying to get in to bed with us.
after an hour of strugling i could not take it any more and i let him sleep with us.  i realy do not know what to do, even if i give him a hiding that doesn't stop him.  he is so persistant and not naughty, i feel so sorry for him and i know that this must stop but i don't know how... PLEASE HELP ME

[specialmom]

I understand your pain----  a good night sleep is worth killing for at some point.  But, unfortunately, giving in and letting him eventually sleep with you just confirmed to him that if he keeps at it you will eventually give in.  It just makes the process longer.  

I don't know if you let him sleep with you in the past but it sounds this way.  I think that you have to be firm (but 'hiding' sounds a little extreme for this offense that I suspect you've contributed to by letting him in bed earlier in his life . . .at that point it is your fault too.)  He is just a little boy after all.  But sleeping in his own room is important for the whole family.  

How is your bedtime ritual?  Make sure it is soothing and quiet.  Then I would say, okay--- you can have 5 minutes in my room and then we go to bed.  That way he doesn't feel like he gets nothing.  (my son is a little older and he likes his 5 minutes).  And then keep walking him back to his room if he gets up.  Don't react.  Don't get mad.  Try to just walk him back.  You may have a few sleepless nights but he will eventually give in and get the picture.  (Start on the weekend).  

also----  let the child have some say about their room----  special night light, door open or closed, help pick out decorations, etc.  And shower praise like crazy if he/she ever stays in the room.
Good luck.

[MRoos]

Thank you for your advise, and yes it is true, a while back when his dad
was out of town i let him sleep with me, so it is my fault to.

i will start afresh and try your 5 min idea..

thanx