So we just transitioned our two year old to a big girl bed from the crib. She was doing really well at first, and still is doing good once she actually goes to sleep but naturally, she’s realized she can get up and leave her room. What I have been doing is leading her back to bed and I’ll give her a few chances before I tell her “if you open the door again we are going to time out” she normally does it again and then I’ll explain to her that she didn’t listen so she has to go to time out. This is all after a very regimented, consistent, bed time routine with bath, cuddling, and reading.

Our time out is her old crib that we moved to the other room for our baby that’s coming in July.

She cries so hard when I put her in there and I can barely stand letting her cry for a couple of minutes, however it does work and she is normally ready to go to bed after time out.

Please answer kindly as I’m just trying to do my best, but do you think this is too harsh? Should I lock her door instead and just let her fall asleep when she’s ready?

I’m not as concerned as her not falling asleep as I am with her leaving her room, because that could be dangerous if we are asleep. I just want to create a clear boundary but I also don’t want my daughter to dread bedtime.