Loud aggressive toddler and bedtime

[hjdmom24]

I am open to any gentle suggestions anyone has as I cannot figure out what to do about this. I am a single mom (so no help) to 4 kids ages 12, 9, 5, and 2. By necessity all 4 kids share a room (although the 2 year old almost always sleeps with me and the 5 and 9 yr olds often end up in my room in the middle of the nite too). My problem is that my 5 and 9 yr olds refuse to go to sleep without me sitting in the room and my two year old insists on jumping all over, making lots of noise and waking up anyone who falls asleep by hitting them in the head or jumping on them should he get a chance. There is no chance of him going to sleep first as he is often wide awake still 2 hours after the others go to bed. If I try to hold him it becomes a physical battle with him hitting, kicking and biting as anyone would do if restrained against their will. He doesn't watch TV or play with any particular toys so it is very hard to distract him.I have even tried locking him out of the room but he either screams (which keeps the other kids up) or finds something to get into and makes a huge mess.  I don't think it is fair to force my other kids to go to sleep alone if they prefer not to..plus if I'm not in the room they just goof around or keep coming out and it will give them one more reason to resent their brother. This is just one of the many issues I am having with my toddler but I feel it is most important to solve this one first as the lack of sleep is really affecting us all!

[sosurreal09]

hmmm that's a tough one. maybe have a "special" new toy that is very exciting and will occupy him - but only let him play with it while you are putting them to bed?

[Rlin]

How about reading them all a story, the bigger ones might drift off to sleep while you're reading and it will occupy your toddler as well.