2 Year Climbing Out of Crib

Say good bye to that crib!! Too bad isn't it? This situation probably doesn't have much to do with the type of bed you use but rather that she has decided to start testing herself and her world. This is kind of a big development really. Its an opportunity to lay down some good groundwork for the future in terms of her following your rules about how and how far she can adventure off into the world.

So think about what you want the rules to be. I would also consider getting a full twin bed if you can, new bedspread/linens along with a whole new set of rules!! Once you do that and make sure you've told her the rules in very two year old appropriate language you must enforce, enforce, enforce.

A lot of people use positive reinforcement here: a chart with a list of positive behaviors that get stars every morning and other treats.

Good luck.

We finally decided there was no way to keep our two year old in his crib, so we decided we needed to figure out how to (at least) keep him in his room. We turned his bedroom doorknob around so we can lock it from the outside and keep him safe and sound. Good luck!

Sadly, from my personal experiences with both children, the only thing to do is keep putting her back in. If you return her to bed without any communication, she will eventually get bored and just stay in bed. I had to do this with my son and daughter, but within about a week, they were basically done. Every now and again we would go through it because they just didn't want to go to bed, but by then it only took returning them a couple times before they remained. I think it's just the novelty of being able to get out of their bed's when they want, instead of on Mom & Dad's terms. It will wear off, I promise. =0)

velcro sheets and pjs?

Just kidding. I would buy a crib tent at Babies R Us or Toys R Us and do that. Or you can do the Super Nanny method and sit next to her bed putting her back in without saying a word every single time she gets out. Seems to work well on the show after the 3rd night or so.

Oh...I feel for you....we went through the SAME thing about 6 months ago with my son. I will be honest...it was really hard. It took us a few weeks until he finally got the hang of it. What worked best for us was to have me do the reg. bedtime routine and then let my husband take over. HA. He was much tougher than I...he would just pick him up and drop him back in the bed and leave. It would take a couple of times but he finally got the hang of it. I am a softie and wanted to kiss and cuddle him to settle him down....and as a result he played me like a fool. tee hee. Good luck.

I would be concerned more about her coming out of her bedroom. As long as she is in the room, I would pick and chose the battle...if she wants to sleep on the bed, under the bed, in the closet - atleast she is in her room. What you are doing is the right thing to do...keep putting her back in. It may take a couple days, an entire weekend, or longer, but the consistency will work and she will get it.

C. T.