21 Month Old Fighting Bedtime?

I agree with everyone who suggested using a baby gate. Let her cry it out and if she ends up sleeping on the floor I wouldn't move her to her bed but instead put a blanket on her. My son use to sleep on the floor because he didn't want his bed and I would let him until he wanted to sleep in his own bed. I also would try to play some soft music in her room and a nightlight.
I would stop holding her all together so that way she can learn on her own that she's ok and it's ok to sleep without anyone holding her.

My daughter has done this to me.... I would put her in her bed cover her up put a night light on and read her book. make sure she stay's laying down tell her if she want's to hear you continue reading she'll have to lay down. after your done with the book and she's still fighting tell her to lay on her tummy that you want to show her something and then rub her back. lightly. It relaxes my daughter. if she doesn't like laying on her tummy then while she's laying on her back have her close her eyes and use your finger and run it in the shape of an 8 over each eye. Also try Camille tea before bed.. most kid's don't like the taste so try flavoring it with kool-aid or other juice. I hope this helps... and good luck.

Put a baby gate over her door so she can't get out and leave her alone. She will probably get out of bed and stand at the gate crying. Just let her. She'll eventually fall asleep, probably in the floor. That's okay. Just move her to the bed. Once she realizes that getting up and being held until she falls asleep is a thing of the past this will stop. Unfortunately, you've already started the habit so it will take longer to break. I don't suggest exchanging this habit for the habit of you or another family member laying down with her until she falls asleep because you just trade one bad habit for another.

You could also try the method where you sit in her room near the bed until she falls asleep. Each night you sit further and further away until eventually you are out of the room altogether.

we used the dr ferber sleep training method. his book addresses your situation. it worked for us.

good luck to you and yours
F. B.

How long are her naps? Does she go to sleep at the same time every night? I wouldn't do sippy cups right before sleep in her room, maybe she is uncomfotable and wet with her training diaper? You have mentioned about another family member, maybe she is just missing you. I would start putting her to bed by 10pm, then the following week by 9:30, 9, 8:30, 8. Routine works the best for my family: dinner, bath, book reading, lights out by 8pm. Ps. She might be ready for a toddler bed, just in case she has a bad fall.

Have there been any major changes in your lives? That can cause problems with that. Or if she's had any shots lately. Mine always would start acting strange after they had shots for weeks.

My daughter is 20 months old and she did this for some time, too I feel for you! We gave her a night light, a little sippy cup of water, put a door knob cover thing so she couldn't get out (she'd get out in the middle of the night!) and then we realized she doesn't like sleeping alone. Fortunately we have a bunk bed in her older brother's room so now they sleep in bunk beds. We haven't had problems since. Is there a sibling she can sleep with?

Ditto Cheryl B's advice of a baby gate and putting her back in bed if she falls asleep on the floor, though be prepared for her crying to start all over if you do. Sleeping on the floor isn't as hard on little ones as it is us grown-ups, and eventually she'll learn bedtime means it's time to go to sleep and stay in bed.