Toddler Bed Transition

It sounds like you really do have a great bed-time routine. You could spend 2 min scratching back or patting him to comfort during the transition. I have done this with 2 of 3 boys so far. After our regular routine and prayers (love that you do that too) i would say "ok- mommy will pat on you for 2 min. and you go right to sleep"
i don't move right away after 2 min- i sit w my hand on their back for another min- then move hand and sit for 1 min- then move to door -
if they cry - i don't engage in much talk but just say "mommy is right here- you are such a big boy!" and ease on out-
i haven't ever had them just keep crying and i really have had to only go through all the extra for a good transition week or two. If he sees that he can keep you there by crying , guess what hell do??
If you know he has all he needs, and you have given a little extra encouragement - be confident that it is a good thing for him to be in his big boy bed and he will follow suit!
good luck - it sounds like you are doing a great job! hell be just fine

My oppinion on the matter is this. I think you should shorten the time you it takes you to put him to bed little by little every day until he gets use to it. It will be hard at first but raising a child never is easy but it will get better over time. Hes going to have to learn sometime that he has to go to bed in his new bed its better to start now than wait till later because then it could be worse. You could also try telling him that its a big boy bed all the big boys sleep in big boy beds and if he wants to be a big biy he has to sleep in that bed.

I know the days are short but I think if you change the way you see this time spent on bedtime differently, then you will have resolved your own issue. In my honest opinion, no time spent on my children is a nuissence.... But rather quality special time of love, caring and bonding. He obviously needs you, physically and emotionally and is showing it outright. He has not been spoiled, but loved! Keep it up! It may be time consuming and burdonsome, but that's parenting :-) he may need some time adjusting or he may just need longer to develop emotionally and mentally before he is comfy with such a change... Go with his lead and provide what he needs which is love, closeness and the security of knowing you will be there for him. I would keep him in the same room for now, as he was before. It could be that he is feeling the stresses of your seperation as well. He may have a hidden fear of being left alone?? Is he in counseling? All kids that have experienced a split family could benefit. I hope everything Congo yes to improve for you both!!

I think it is great you give him that extra time at night (as hard as it can be on you with a list a mile long). Like you said...the time will be gone before you know it...so embrace it and god luck with the transition. I am not good at the getting them to sleep arena...so I'll leave those pieces of advice to come from other moms. But you sound like a great mom with giving him that special time!!

Cheer up. I was a single Mom for years. You will do fine. Of course it will be harder and seem like you are spending more time doing things for your son but he is well worth it. I never had the switching bed problem because mine were in their own bedroom in the crib. My Mom warned me about keeping them in my room or letting them sleep with me. I kept my first one in my room but not by choice. We only had one bedroom available at the time. But we moved when she was five months and she was put in her own room. I would rock mine to sleep while we were reading or watching tv. Then put them into their bed. Worked great and I really enjoyed it. They are both in college now and I couldn't be prouder of either one. But they will still sit on my lap for to rock a bit now and then. Enjoy him, you will get stressed, you will want to scream at times, but you will get through it. Being a single Mom isn't easy, but in some cases the child is better off. Good Luck and God Bless!

When we did the transition a few years back....we purchased a side rail that fit between the mattress and box spring on a twin that we had for her. she felt secure and would go right to sleep...That is the KEY word here "SECURE." Make sure his Race Car bed has some thing that will help him feel secure so that he won't worry about falling out! A long Bolster pillow perhaps? Make sure it is a bright color to match his bed...and pick it up each morning and put it up each night...that may help solve this sticky problem. Boys are a little more difficult to train...Basically because they are L A Z Y! Don't tell him that though! LOL
J. D