Mel we went through this with Aidyn about 2 months ago I think? Not exactly the same, but similar.
Basically he went through a stage of screaming blue murder every time we tried to put him to bed at night, so we ended up developing a settling routine in our big bed with him, which would pretty much extend to 2+ hours each night of playing and cuddles etc.
Although it was lovely, and he obviously just wanted that special time with Mummy and Daddy, it was driving me bananas after the 2nd week!
And during one of those nights my Mum was babysitting, and put him to bed, and what do you know - he went down without a peep for her!
So I do think they know that we will come to them if they cry, which is why they do it. However I think maybe its part of their development at this age, and maybe related to seperation anxiety? Or just wanting to be with Mummy and Daddy? Cause I do know Aidyn really did love those 2 hour bedtime sagas where Mummy and Daddy were cooing over him and chatting to him... so I can understand why he didnt want to give it up.
Eventually I started being stricter, and would stay with him in our bed for 30 mins, then hop out of bed and say 'its sleep time Aidyn'. And he would follow me out, and I would put him back in our bed and repeat. After 2 or 3 nights he learnt not to follow me out of our bedroom, and would fall asleep by himself on our bed (then I would transfer him to the cot). And then about a week after that I started putting him back in the cot again, and what do you know, he was fine!
Yikes, sorry for getting off track... I wish I had some good concrete advice for you... I dont know what it was that changed things in our situation, if it was something we did, or Aidyn himself...
I hope and pray for you though that Jacob will let up on it soon... I can so totally understand and sympathise with what you are going through... its insanely frustrating to spend the whole day running after and attending to a toddler, and then just when you think 'thankgod its their bedtime!' they end up keeping you hard at work for another 2 hours, and by the time their asleep its your bedtime! Argh... not fun at all.
I would say yes. We had the same problem with Kimberley and it's only been the last 2 months that she has gone to bed with no trouble at all. DH used to have to sit in her room until she went to sleep and some nights it would be him asleep before her. I found she is much better since she stopped her daytime sleep.
Does Jacob still have a sleep during the day?
What is your bedtiem rountine ?
Maybe change it in some way.
If Kimberley fights us at bedtime DH reads to her in bed and within 10mins of her staying still she is asleep.
They are always good for someone esle. They will eat better, behave and sleep better.
Good luck and i hope something works for you soon.
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