29 month old coming out of bed - a lot!

[love-my-rb]

My dd isn't really emotionally ready to be in a bed, but she was climbing out of her crib and we worried it was dangerous. She has a converted crib and a twin bed mattress on the floor in her room, and decides each night which one she wants to sleep in. The problem is that she climbs out so many times and takes forever to fall asleep. She doesn't cry for us, she just comes running to get us to tuck her in again and again and again. We don't interact with her or make it fun, she just wants us to keep tucking her in. I hate putting her back without cuddles and kisses, but I was advised that would make it worse. We're going on 5 weeks of this and it's better but still pretty frustrating. I'm envious that some kids don't try to get out of bed at all, and some learn to stay there after a few days. Is there anything we can do differently? 

Thanks!

[mari]

Sorry this wasn't picked up earlier.  Hope things are ok.

How does she go to sleep at bedtime?  Is she getting out of bed then as well?

Mari

[oilerbaby]

We put a baby gate on the door... kept them in and they didn't feel closed in with the door shut. 

[love-my-rb]

We were advised by friends to get a baby gate, but my husband won't do it. Our house is a one-story so we don't have to worry about stairs and he thinks she will find a way to climb over that, too.
My daughter gave up her nap in December/January at 24 mos. so I know she is very tired when bedtime comes around. From someone else's posts, adressing a different problem, I got her special new sheets yesterday that we chose together and then  I layed down with her in bed to read her stories, so that her body would maybe start to relax. I have no idea which of you ladies put those ideas in my head, but since last night went a little more smoothly, I have to say thanks! Last night I also gave into my instinct and talked to her and cuddled her when she came out of the room each time, even letting her use the bathroom. That will probably backfire, right?
Thanks!

[mari]

TBH I think that she is coming out of bed and taking ages to fall asleep because she is overtired.  Could you try an earlier bedtime?  Perhaps that will help.

[love-my-rb]

We have tried a few times to move bedtime up to 7/7:30, but we seem to have better luck btwn 8-9pm. We could try something drastic like 6 or 6:30 I guess, but she isn't whiny at that time, just cheerful and playing quietly by herself in the playroom. How much awake time should the average toddler get? I have heard 12 hours, but her number seems to be 13, unless I am missing my window and she gets a second wind?

Thanks for any insight! She has always slept less than most kids - sometimes I think it's my fault, because I used to wake her up to feed her as a newborn (poor weight gain at first, but I think I overreacted to it).

[mari]

Try an earlier bedtime and a super long wind down.  You culd be missing the window.  Sit in her room with her and read for about half an hour before settling her.  How is she when she goes to bed at bedtime?