Why Toddlers Fight Bedtime (and What Actually Helps)

Bedtime with toddlers can feel relentless - the stalling, the getting out of bed again and again, the early mornings, and that constant pull between meeting your child’s needs and desperately needing a moment to yourself.

In this 10-minute Parent Unplugged highlight, parenting coach Charis Halsall speaks with child sleep specialist Gemma Coe about what’s really going on beneath toddler sleep struggles - and how to respond without power struggles or unrealistic expectations.

Together, they explore:

Why toddlers resist bedtime (and why “7 till 7” often isn’t realistic)

How routines and visual cues can make bedtime feel fairer

What to do when children keep getting out of bed

Early waking, dropped naps, and changing sleep needs

Holding your child’s hand to fall asleep - when it helps and when it can backfire

Separation anxiety, night terrors, and co-sleeping

How parents can balance their child’s sleep needs with their own wellbeing

A calm, honest conversation for parents who want realistic sleep support - without blame, pressure, or rigid rules.