If you gated or locked your toddler in room to sleep.

Southernfairyx

I want to do this but literally he goes ballistic....banging on the door tearing up anything he can...and how long do they cry? Last time I attempted this I gave it 45 minutes and just couldn't do it any longer.  Any tips?

Brewtowngrl

I give him an hour and try to calm him down if he is still that worked up and start all over.  I was just reading 123 magic and it says to leave everything torn up and a mess and put them right back to bed without saying a word. 

ridesbuttons

If you are putting the gate up as the last thing to do before you leave then I would stop doing that.

I put the gate up as I'm going into the bedroom with DS and then spend 5-20 minutes reading books, etc. before leaving.  I remind him to stay in bed and no crying.  That seems to really help.

KathrynMD

DD was bad the first 2-3 nights we closed the door - it was bad.  I don't remember how long she cried but it was long - at least 45 minutes.

Now, she's fine.  I also let her close the door when we go in together to read/get on her PJs, etc.  If I leave it open, she closes it on her own.

Smores730

We went threw that too. 45 mins sounds typical to me. They WILL comply eventually! We also left all the stuff everywhere and made her help pick it up in the morning. Tips: just stay firm. If you give in, you just ruined all that you worked for!

Southernfairyx

Thanks ladies.  I know the idea of locking your toddler in his/her room sounds aweful but it seems like a good solution and a quick fix.  I also read to do this in the sleep easy solution book.  Thanks for the support and advice

Pesky

Never an issue.  The gate is on the door when he and one of us goes into the room and we shut it and the door behind us to read books and play.  We go through the routine -- books, humidifier on, picking the color on the twilight turtle and say good night and promise to check in on him but only if he is in his bed.  Then close the door not all the way and shut the gate (pressure mounted one with a little gate/door). 

BabymakesFIVE10

as soon as DD2 moved out of the crib we put a child lock on the knob on the inside of her room (the kind you have to squeeze the two sides and twist). the first 3-5 nights she would bang on her door and cry. but from experience (my 1st was a terrible sleeper.. it would take HOURS to get her to bed every night..) going back in the room to "calm" her would only prolong it and it would happen again as soon as I left. a few nights she fell asleep in front of her door. we would just pick her up and move her into her bed. after that she had a few nights of getting out and just banging on it a few times and then she would get in her bed and go to sleep. My only real advice is pick something and stick to it. My DH totally messed us up the other night when DD2 said lay down with me (we NEVER do this unless she is sick) and he did, 45 mins later she was still having a conversation and he left, which made her scream and cry for 45 mins). that was 2 weeks ago and I still have to put her in bed every night bc now she says lay down with me TO HIM!

Cytina

We have our gate up all the time, so he's used to it for the most part and doesn't associate it solely with bedtime.  It's got a swing thru door thing that he now knows how to open, so I use a cabinet safety lock to keep it closed.  We tried a doorknob cover on the inside knob but he removed it in minutes.

lmdbww

DD has always had a gate in her doorway to keep the dog out and i've never fully shut (latched) her door.

She only started to climb out a few months ago, and now she can just lift the handle on the gate and push it over to get out, but it doesnt bother me because the sound wakes me up. lol