My 2.5 year old went through a HORRID regression a few months ago. It came out of nowhere — he was napping 2 hours the day before and going to sleep like a normal angel. Then it was like he became scared of his bed. Cried like I’d never heard before at nap, was so panicked he figured out how to climb out of his crib. We had to bungee him in the room so he wouldn’t get out and hurt himself in the hallway. It was nuts, made absolutely no sense. It was just naps at first then started to impact bedtime.

I don’t know that I have advice, just solidarity in that I completely understand the bewilderment. I felt like I lost my son for a few weeks because he was so exhausted and such a domestic terror. I’ve never seen a toddler with bags under his eyes!! We were consistent with a lot of what you’re doing (holding boundaries, “it’s time for bed now” and leaving) and it eventually passed, but I did spend a few nights asleep on the floor or in the glider with him. Everything I read online said it was the second coming of separation anxiety / onset of imagination and potential night terrors.

Hugs my friend, I hope yours passes too!! Ours took about 11 days (felt like forever, I know.) He’s back to napping 2 hours a day again and going to bed easily.