Ok, DS has needed us there to help him go to sleep for nearly his whole life. We did a bit of CIO when he was really young, but since he was about 5 months old, we sat with him instead and helped him to get to sleep. First by patting, then by sitting next to his cot. Now he's 3.5 and DH still helps him get to sleep at night by sitting by his bed.

Trouble is - its taking about 2 hours for him to wind down and relax and stop mucking around. DH has had enough, and they always end up fighting and DH always blows his top at him. DH hates that the only time he sees him during the week is at night time and that he's getting angry at him. (and I don't blame DH, because it is very frustrating when you are sitting next to someone that is supposed to be going to sleep and they dance around in their bed, or talk to themselves, or try to play with toys, or stare at the light etc etc - everything except for going to sleep).

He currently shares a room with DD2, who he has been waking up nearly every night because DH gets angry at DS for talking, or he talks too loud and that causes her to wake up.

So our plan tomorrow is to move DD1 into the room that DS and DD2 share - and move DS into his own room. With a new bedtime routine. At 7.30, DS must be in his bed. He can play with his toys, read books, basically wind down himself - as long as he stays in bed.

Will that work do you think? Nothing else we seem to try is working, so he'll be in his room by himself, with the lamp on, with books and toys - to let him get to sleep himself (hopefully he will bore himself to sleep!)