2yo - let her cry it out?

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

When DS fakes sleep then gets up and wanders over to us I say in a loud voice "I hope that isn't Liebling. He'll be back in bed in five... four... three" before I count down further I hear the patter of rather large feet and he puts himself back to bed - the countdown is my biggest threat and DS knows it. If he disobeys he's picked up and I do what I wanted with him anyway; this way he keeps some dignity.

I usually sit with Liebs as he goes to sleep. Takes 10-15 minutes but it's time we have together. If he refuses to sleep, I tell him that Mammy needs a sit-down so he can play in his room alone or go to sleep, I don't mind. Here's a book to look at. Within 15 minutes he calls for me to put him to bed and he's asleep in 2 minutes. Sometimes he puts himself to sleep, but that's not usual.

We always shut DS's door, but that was more to minimise noise when he was a light sleeper as a tot.

[Janie]

I stay with my DS to go to sleep. We've always done this, so I feel it would be unfair to stop it now. However, if he mucks around, and won't settle then I tell him that he gets one more chance before mummy goes, and shuts the door. (He will also get out of bed, every single time, so I have to shut it). If he mucks up again, I say goodnight, kiss him etc etc, and leave, closing the door behind me. BUT - I only let him cry for 30 seconds or a minute. I ask him from outside his room if he is ready to get into bed and be a good boy, he always says yes and when I hear his little feet run back to his bed then I go in and lie down again. The first couple of nights I used this tactic I had to do it many times, but he knows now that I mean it when I say it, so if he doesn't want me to go he settles down. Occasionally we have a night where he plays up more than once, and if he does it too much I have let him cry for a few minutes. But I don't think it does much to help him, just gives me a breather so I don't lose my patience .

Oh, and don't stress about the 'bad habit', try to see it as a lovely thing you were doing for her . It's totally normal for toddlers and young children to need some help (and company) getting to sleep. I can really recommend reading the 'No Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers', it is a fantastic book, with so many great ideas, and so much reassurance