Having trouble getting my 3 year old to bed

[lil123]

Has any one any tips please as I don't know what to do.
My 3 year old had suddenly decided he doesn't want to go to bed at his bed time and its taken me a hour and half tonight just to get him to sleep.
I was at the end of my tether as I work full time and am a single parent.
Normally he would go to bed no trouble. I want to try nip this in the bud before it becomes a major issue

[Woody1983]

Do as super nanny does!
Wind him down, bed time story etc, tell him "its bed time now" give him a kiss and walk out.
If he gets out repeat "its bed time now" and put him back to bed, if he gets out again, give him no conversation just take him back to bed (DO NOT TALK!) again and again and again!
Normally bad habits take a max of 3 days to break!

[mifta]

As woody says, don't give any attention, don't make a fuss.

You need to keep calm, and it may be that you are awake for a while but it will be so worth it in a few days.

Good luck!

[Deborah66]

I Would think about what happened during his day, ie: has he had a stressful day and is maybe upset, so therefore wont settle, OR did you have a stressful day and are unknowingly abit tense with/around him, because little ones can sense this and act accordingly.

[Ice.Maiden]

I tend to agree with Deborah, because if this all started suddenly, I'd look at whether he needs more of your time, or if he's feeling upset about something. Does he sleep during the day? Perhaps he's being put to bed too early now that he's growing up a bit? Has he become afraid of the dark?
Stay as calm as possible, and, as Woody says, read to him, make sure he's not hungry or thirsty, and then tell him that you're going downstairs for a while. Kiss him goodnight, and leave, with a smile on your face. If everything else's well with him, he'll soon get into a routine.