Reply #70: Routine, routine, routine [View All]

[Whoa_Nelly]

It may take only a few days, or it may take a few weeks, but create an expected routine, and follow through each and every evening. Sure, you'll have to give up things like going out to eat, to movies for a while, but if you want the routine to change (your previous routine of allowing him to sleep with you), then you have to introduce the routine you want now.

Start at dinnertime being same time every night. Follow with your choice of a couple of activities or rituals that lead up to bedtime (playing and a bath, a walk outdoors...things like that.)
When it's about 1/2 hour before the time you want him in bed, it's time to have him help you get his 'jamas, help to put them on, then have him pick all the books he wants you to read to him. Eventually you can cut down the number of books and let him "read" to himself to fall asleep (I read to my son every night until he was twelve...it was our special time together to talk, joke, be silly and to listen)
Also it's important to pick a time when you want him to get up in the morning.

Hope you're also having him take scheduled naps. Routine makes for less tantrums and good health when it comes to the rest babies need to grow.
Good Luck!

PS The amount of TV time he has daily can make a difference as well. Don't know your choices regarding that, but having been a mom, and now a grandmom, as well as a retired educator, can state that more than 3 hours a day for a toddler is more than enough.