DS1 is a few weeks from turning 4 and has always been a dynamite sleeper. Yes, I know, we've been lucky. However, lately, he won't stay in his bed when it's time. We have a solid routine that hasn't changed really ever. We transitioned him to his big boy bed a year ago and never had a problem. Sometimes he'll wake in the middle of the night and come into our bed but that hasn't been too much of an issue.

Now, whenever we put him to bed, he'll get out and come downstairs minutes later. He's broken through 2 gates when we try to "ignore" him, hoping he'll go back to bed. I know that we helped in creating the bad habit as there would be a few times where we would just let him sleep in our bed as he used to just climb into our bed alone and go to sleep. Now the only way he'll fall asleep is if someone is in the room with him. I really don' t want to continue with this as I usually have work to do in the evenings and/or I use that time to get ready for the next day or spend it with DH! Does anyone have any suggestions on what worked for them? I would really like to find a solution other than having one of us stay in the room with him or locking him in the room.

As for naps, he does not take them on the weekends and hasn't for awhile. He will sometimes nap at school but I will be talking to his teacher to see if we can stop that. I know they all lay down on their cots for quiet time and lately he's been falling asleep since he hasn't been getting as much sleep at night.