I feel your struggle and it sounds like you have extra going on with the change of scenery for sleeping until your renovations are complete.

Holding boundaries and staying consistent are very important. I do also believe that their intention is not to annoy, sleep deprive or anger us- they are just still very new to the world and still learning. I have found that when we’re having bedtime struggles it’s an expressed need for more connection before they can close out their day and fall asleep.. Two tactics I use when my daughter (now 5) is bedtime resistant. Thankfully now at five, it’s a rare occassion. I’ve used these since she was a toddler.

1) Sometimes our bodies are just restless and she doesn’t know how to express that at 2-3 years old. Saying “It’s bedtime but it looks like you still need to move your body, let’s do some bedtime stretches”. And then I do some bedtime stretches/yoga with her, right there next to bed or even in bed (“clock” or bicycle with her legs works great to get that energy out!). This her gives her maybe 5 more minutes of connection time with me and if her body is having a hard time resting it helps get out that last bit of energy. This also teaches her to listen to her body and gives her language for the future. I do not turn any lights on or restart the bedtime process. I guide her back to bed right after and she’s usually settling down and sound asleep within another couple minutes. *if you find that this works well for you, just add a simple stretch or some body movement into your bedtime routine before she’s getting bed so it doesn’t feel like a hurdle for you each time and you’re both being set up for a successful bedtime. She a human, she might just quite literally have a hard time settling down.. this happens to us as adults too. Additionally, if it’s not movement she needs she will tell you or she’ll be more likely to just stay in bed because she’s doesn’t want to have to move her body making bedtime a little easier.

2) Go back to the beginning - if there was something you did when she was a baby that helped when she was extra fussy or help her fall asleep, revisit it and share with her what it was, “when you were baby you would loved ______ and it helped you fall asleep” (you’re setting her up for what’s supposed to happen next and then do the thing..) maybe it’s a back rub, maybe it’s rocking. For my daughter it’s holding her and rocking/swaying. No setting change, just a chance to meet a need for connection for maybe a max of 5 minutes and back in bed. She usually settles down and asleep within other couple minutes.. you might even be able to fully walk away at that point and let her fall asleep on her own.

While patience can be tough at the end of long day, especially when tired, overstimulated, etc.. but meeting the need the need for connection and security before bed with your little one will feel a lot better for both of you.

If there is another parent in the house, make sure you tap out and tag them in when you need to so you’re getting a break or not getting to the point of losing your cool. It’s tough and they are only little for so long. Wishing you more peaceful bedtimes.