Does anyone have tips for what to do with a sassy 2 year old that figured out how to climb out of the crib? (And refuses to take naps or go to bed with their new found power?)
Ask the Readers: Toddler Help!
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LOL! That sounds just like my daughter! She just turned three and has finally settled into routine, but MAN! was she ever a handful! She wouldn't stay in her bed either so finally we settled on her staying in her room and just put up a baby gate. We left the door open so we could hear her (and boy did we ever hear her!) turned off her light and left the room. After a couple of hours of screaming it finally got quiet. When we checked on her she was asleep on the floor in front of the door. We picked her up and put her in the bed and that's where we found her the next morning. The screaming fits lasted a couple of weeks. The falling asleep in the floor lasted another month after that. Now when we tell her it's time for bed, she grabs her bear and goes and lies down and waits for us to tuck her in. And by the way, naptime no longer exists. We can put her in her room the same as at bedtime, but we can't get her to lie down. Not sure what the difference is. Anyway, I hope I've helped at least at little. Good luck and God bless!
Oh and by the way, get rid of the crib! If he/she can climb out he/she can get hurt! Get a toddler bed! My daughter gave herself a concussion the first time she climbed out!
Not sure if it is the answer you want, but I would get a toddler bed. When my son turned 2, he refused to sleep in the crib- we were battling bedtime and I was exhausted trying to get him to nap (and I was pregnant!). But we went to IKEA, found a clearance toddler bed, let him pick out sheets, and our world changed. He loved to go to bed. Plus, it was easier to sit next to him and rub his back or read a story, etc.
Hope it helps and good luck! 🙂
Sounds like it's time for a toddler bed! My 2 1/2 year old has been in one for months and is doing great! Now his little brother is using the crib 🙂
When Andrew got to that point, it was time for the air mattress on the floor. We couldn't afford a toddler bed, and we thought this was safer. And we just closed the door at naptime. When they get bored enough, they fall asleep.
No, Mother of the Year I'm not. But my son's almost 6 now, and he's still alive. 🙂
Toddler bed sounds good.
I just read a parenting book that suggested you leave a pillow and blanket by the door since that is where they end up anyway! Best wishes!
We did like Anonymous did–toddler bed and baby gate. It worked fine until Peter realized he could push the bed over to the door and use it to climb over the baby gate. (at 14 now, he's still a pretty ingenious guy!) So maybe a mattress on the floor with a baby gate? There is no way you can flip a switch and force them to fall nap, but you CAN keep them in their rooms for "quiet time" with a few books or quiet toys. And even if they aren't sleeping, at least they–and you–are having some down time.