Help! 2 year old use to be an awesome sleeper! What happened?

[Liam and Shane's Mommy]

I haven't posted here in a very long time which is a good sign as we haven't had sleep issues in a very long time.  Since he was an 6 mos. old he has been going to sleep for naps and bedtime by himself and sleeping through the night.  Starting maybe 6 weeks ago he was getting very upset, at least once per week when I'd put him down for a nap or bedtime.  The rest of the nights he was fine.  Because this behavior was so unusual for him I would go to him straightaway and give him a cuddle or rub his back and he'd usually go back to sleep.  After a couple of weeks he'd still do it at least once per week but wasn't settling as well when I'd go in so on a few occasions I've either rubbed his back until he was asleep or at least stayed in the room.  At this point I was still figuring it was maybe just a short phase.  I strongly suspect he's getting in his 2 year molars which I know from the troubles I had with my first, can be very painful.

This past few days he's been screaming whenever I put him down for nap or bedtime as soon I leave the room.  Initially I would go in and give him a pat and reassure him at which point he'd settle down instantly and lay down.   I can't figure out what's going on.  My dh believes he's manipulating me as he remembers those times I've stayed in the room or rubbed his back and now expects it every time he goes to sleep.  Yesterday and Friday I would go in talk re-assuringly and then leave again.  He'd stop when I came in and start up again when I left.  Sometimes this has gone on for an hour or more. 

I know he's tired. He's also been waking early in the morning.  But again I believe it might be his teeth.  Plus there's likely more tension, chaos in the house for the past 2 months as we're moving out of province in a couple of weeks.  I really would like to get him back on track before we move as that will certainly throw him off.  I don't want to start bad habits and turn into a prop but yet its getting worse and worse.

Should I just let him work it out as my husband suggests or should I consider that maybe he's feeling insecure all of a sudden and needs me there?  Should I give in and stay there while he falls asleep?  He continues to sleep through the night but I'm starting to worry this may change too.

I should mention that he goes to daycare full time and they haven't experienced any problems.  He's always happy when I leave him.  The only place he seems particularly clingy is at home and it can be whenever I leave the room.

[Colin Macs Mom]

Sounds to me like he's really sensing the tension at home. I'm sorry there's so much going on! Personally, I would give him as much reassurance as possible but also avoid any AP at the same time. After all, he knows things are not right but he doesn't really understand what's happening either. I would spend as much one-on-one time before bed with him as you can, reading books or whatever, and then have a little talk about I'm here for you, it's time to go to sleep and I'll be here if you need me... that sort of thing. If he needs a couple pats, then ok that's not the end of the world. But you don't want to be standing there patting all night either.