My 3 year old girl has always been a spirited child. When she was a baby, the Baby Whisperer books, this forum, and I had a great routine.... until she was out of her crib. Ever since she's been in a toddler bed, it has been terrible. She does not go to sleep anymore on her own, and begs us to stay with her until she falls asleep. Part of this has been reinforced by us and she goes bonkers with full blown temper tantrums and does not go to sleep. Most evenings she will sleep most of the night. Last night, she came into our room 5-7 times and was returned to her room and fell asleep each time, only to come back into our room and wake us up yet again. I am at my wits' end with this child. When she does fall asleep in our bed, she tries to run a marathon on my back, hit and punch me in the face, all while blissfully dreaming.
I have tried everything including Gro Clock, sticker charts, returning her to bed every time she gets out, having a discussion with her plenty of time before bed, and so much more. I cannot take the sleep deprivation any more and I'm tired of one of us sleeping in another room just to be able to get through a day at work!
Help!