[Gs_Mom]

Somewhat related to the other thread .... we struggle to get our 2 1/2 to stay in bed at bed time. Once he is asleep he stays there.

He gets up several times, so bedtime turns into an hour or more. Last night his last trip was at 9:00!!! and we started at 7:30!

We have tried ....
quietly walking him back
taking away books that we leave him
yelling (i know ... i know ... i was at my wits end)
and shutting the door.

Walking him back doesn't work well -- it's a game and it turns into a "reward" b/c we come to his room.

Taking away books worked originally, but no longer.

The yelling works. But obviously I don't want to do that.

He hates when we shut the door. So, he jumps up and stands at the door crying, with me on the other side holding it shut and telling him to get back in bed. He gets in bed, I open the door and say I will leave it open if he stays in bed. It takes 2 or 3 times of this to get him to stay. And I don't like the punishment feel of it.

Any ideas??????