Making the switch to a toddler bed - need opinions

Sorry in advance for the long winded explanation below:

DD just turned 2 in June. She was an excellent sleeper as an infant - slept thru the night, put herself to sleep, 2 very long naps, etc. Ever since we went to Greece last summer and she slept in the room with us, things have not been the same. Even though she is still a good sleeper - she goes to bed around 8:30 and wakes around 7:30/8 and she naps 2.5-3 hours during the day, she will NOT go to sleep without me sitting with her in her rocking chair. Most nights I don't mind it bc it gives me some time to unwind with her in my arms and that's when I get to check my emails, do my facebooking (lol) and even some e-reading on my phone. But lately it has become such a pain and I find myself losing my patience with her. She's much bigger now and doesn't fit into my lap as well so it takes forever for her to get comfy and fall asleep. There are nights when I will sit there for an hour and then by the time I get her down I am too exhausted to spend time with DH or do anything else. PLUS, now it's getting harder to put her down into the crib without waking her.

Bottom line - I am pretty much done with this and I feel like it is compromising my sanity as a mother and wife. I love snuggling but ultimately, I think it's time she goes to bed on her own. Especially when and if DH and I have another baby, there is no way I would be able to juggle that.

I am thinking about trying to move her into a toddler bed. We have the conversion kit for her crib and I'm wondering if the nostalgia of a new big girl bed (she loves playing in her cousins when she goes over there) might be a good way to start a new routine of her laying down at night on her own. Even if I have to stay in the room on the floor or in the rocker while she falls asleep, I feel like it will be a start. Any thoughts or experience with this? I'd really appreciate any advice that can be offered.

TIA

Re: Making the switch to a toddler bed - need opinions

My DD did very well with the switch from a crib to a "big girl" bed. We went right for the full conversion instead of the toddler. We hyped up the whole big girl bed for a while before we made the switch, pointed out that all her favorite tv show characters slept in big girl/boy beds. We also bought princess bedding from pottery barn. She did so well with the transition that our new problem was getting her out of the bed. She LOVED her bed so much she wouldn't leave it. And she had to bring each and every person who came to the house into her room to see it. It was a pain in the neck, but MUCH better then the sleep regression problems we were dealing with!

ETA: she was exactly 24 months when we converted the crib to a bed.

Message edited 8/9/2013 6:03:53 PM.

Re: Making the switch to a toddler bed - need opinions

Just did my twins and it went much much better than expected! I would switch her. Maybe buy her new sheets etc and play it up.

Re: Making the switch to a toddler bed - need opinions

I think its a perfect way to transition. Both my boys are in toddler beds (3&4) & we still need to sit in.the room with them to fall asleep but they are in their beds & we are in a chair or on the floor by.the door.