How can I get my 2 year old on a sleeping pattern?

OK you've got a lot going on, with jobs and so on, and it must be tough. Still, you are the parents. When you say, Get in bed, he gets in bed. And if he stirs or cries, well, it won't last long. The best thing to do is get him tired! Exercise affects people, esp kids, maybe a little differntly, so figure out what exercise to get, and how long before bed. I'd say if you want 12 pm bed, then 9 to 10 pm start exercising, for as long as he'll last (yes even, an hour) Also, use light and darkness as cues for sleep. Light, esp bluish light, stimulates serotonin in thebrain, and keeps us up. Low light allows melatonin to be produced, makign us sleepy. So, after your rousing game of tag, or whatever, dim the lights. And, TV and computer keeps everyone up longer. Make sure that these things are off during dim time. Good luck!

Well for what it's worth, I'm from the old school...my baby is now 32. My oldest is 40. My kids had a bed time of 7:30-8:00 they had to stay in bed, no eating, drinking. They could take books with them. My son would yell to us " I can't make it!" meaning he couldn't get to sleep but after a while he made it! By 7 they were up and ready for the day. As soon as their little feet hit the floor...they are on the pot. They were trained by 1-1 1/2 yo. No Bottle after their 1st birthday. Naps were at 1 -1:30 and up by 3-3:30. Watch what they eat before nap and bed. Also a nice warm bath at 7pm helped also. Keep on schedule......that is the key. My daughter did this for her daughter and all went well. The boys my son's kids how ever......run their mother crazy because she thinks I don't know a thing about raising children and since I live so far from them I can't help her. when I visit I kiss and hug and think how I would do things. LOL But I love them all just the same!

You are the parent and you should have absolute control. When you say "go to bed" he needs to go to bed. You're relying on the idea that the less sleep he gets, the more tired he'll be, so the easier he'll go to sleep and the longer he'll sleep. That doesn't work with children. Overtired children, don't go to sleep as easily and they don't sleep as long. Is he getting enough play time? I mean physical play time. I've noticed when my children get play time outside or in an indoor playplace (like McDonalds or something similar), they go to sleep much easier at night and sleep better. Also, what does your night time routine look like? Children thrive on routine, and a night time routine helps signal their brains that it's time to start winding down and helps them relax and fall asleep easier. A night time routine can be anything you want, ours usually is bathtime, lotion, a book or two, and tucking into bed. My children are 3 1/2 and 20 months and both of them go to sleep fairly easily at night.