How can I "make" my 2 year old twins to go sleep!?!?

Sarah - posted on 07/09/2012 ( 2 moms have responded )

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My 2 year old twins were good sleepers for quite some time... recently they started to crawl out of their cribs so we had to convert them into toddler beds. This began myself or my husband to stay with them until they fell asleep, which didn't take very long because they had their pacifiers to sooth them to sleep... Now within the last couple of weeks we took the pacifiers away and they are pretty much okay with that, they occasionally comment how nice it was to give their "paci's" to my friends son but that's it, but I think it is really hard for them to learn how to fall asleep on their own... Now they run around, jump on their beds, talk, yell "no mommy!" or "Naughty corner!" when I tell them to lay down. I try to keep my cool with them but it always ends up with me yelling at them to lay down and be quite and to try to keep TWO children in their beds I feel helpless! If my husband is in the room with me they tell him to go away and get upset if he doesn't. I feel like my 2 year olds are in control and I am just along for the ride! Not to mention by the time they FINALLY fall asleep my older daughter (she's 7) has just spent an average of about an hour, sometimes more, by herself usually watching tv. Not only does this go on at bedtime but nap times are a battle as well. So basically I feel like I'm neglecting my older daughter because I'm "wasting" all my time trying to convince my toddlers that it's time to SLEEP. I've also tried to move back bedtime, move it ahead, almost everything I can think of. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! I really appreciate it!

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Kristin - posted on 07/10/2012

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When my son was 2 he hated his bed but I would put him to bed after bathtime and brushing teeth, read him a story, tuck him in give him a hug tuirn on his night light and leave. If he got up and came out of his bed I took his hand and put him back to bed. I wouldnt speak to him and i stayed consistent. This went on for about a week and he started to sleep right away after story and tuck in time. Yelling at 2 yr olds solves nothing be firm and be consitent and maybe cut out the nap time. Good luck.

September - posted on 07/10/2012

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Unfortunately there is no way of "making" your children sleep. Transitioning from the crib to the toddler bed can be challenging. Have you tried cutting out their naps? Our son who is 3.5 goes to sleep much easier when he hasn't had a nap, although getting him to nap these days is nearly impossible. I still lay with him at night until he falls asleep. We have a routine that we follow each night which I think helps prepare him for bed time. Once we start the routine he knows it's almost bed time. Maybe you could create some sort of routine for them. Good luck!