A: Most 2-year-olds develop bedtime problems, Brenda. They have a hard time settling down at night and tolerating separation from the family. Consequently, many children this age complain about monsters under the bed, say they're hungry or repeatedly leave the room in search of mom and dad. The solution is to follow these steps at bedtime:

• Accept that this behavior is normal.
• Establish a routine to quiet your child and makes bedtime pleasant.
• Rely on heavy shades to reduce scary shadows, and use a night–light.
• Make sure your son has a small drink, and if toilet-trained, a trip to the bathroom.
• Be firm in your expectation that he stay in his room.
• When he gets up, quickly return him to his room with a mild scolding.
• If he gets out of bed again tell him that you will put up a gate next time.
• If you have resort to the gate, ignore his complaints or crying.
• Return to your son's room every 15 minutes so he knows you haven't abandoned him.
• Each time, remind him that it's bedtime and leave.
• Time his crying so you can see how it gets shorter and shorter over the next couple of days.

If you don't like this approach, you might be comfortable sharing your bed with him. Advocates of the family bed believe that children shouldn't be separated from their parents at night. However, most parents favor having their privacy and teaching their children to be independent and master going to sleep on their own. You have to decide what's best for you and your child. Good luck.