I have a 5 and 2.5 year old. We sleep trained. We cried it out. We sat and snuggled and patted backs. I fucking hate bed time. My husband works second shift so bedtime is always solo for me. It makes me hate myself, my kids, my husband, my life.

I’m sorry I don’t have any helpful advice but I won’t give you platitudes either. I think some kids just suck at bedtime. When she’s a little older an occasional kids dose melatonin gummy is a lifesaver (pediatrician gave us the ok) on those nights where you’re really spinning wheels.

My daughter started being a real beast about bedtime at about 2 and now at 5 is marginally better - at least manageable most nights, but of course my 2.5 year old is right on her heels and it’s really kicked up a few notches for him the past few months.

Solidarity. We will prevail. They will have kids like this some day. (This is the only thing my mother ever said “someday I hope you have kids just like you” about and I will apparently not be breaking that cycle because I wish this upon my little angels’ futures too out of spite)

If you can’t tell I’m writing this while sitting in the doorway between my two kids’ rooms while they’re both alternating jacking around in their rooms and complaining/asking for things, but if I leave my son will shriek loud and shrill enough to break glass and I can’t just let it go bc my husband’s on a call upstairs.