Hi taralee - makes perfect sense about the family day care option, and relief sounds like a good alternative. Definately think Evie is old enough for self settling, which is not the same as controlled crying...I let aston self settle. When you go back into her avoid eye contact. which I know is hard to do when they are laughing and smiling at you. pat her bottom, or stroke her head, time for sleep...do that for a couple of minutes til she stops talking or crying, then walk out again. I read some where today, that you increase the time between returning by a min each time. any way...give it a go...she may also be starting to drop a sleep and go down to two...if that makes sense...