2 year old wont go to bed

[shadrachfly]

OK so our daughter has been such a great sleeper up until her 2nd birthday. We made our routine, read her stories, said prayers, sang songs, and then we would close her door and she would jabber to herself and talk herself to sleep. Well up until her 2nd birthday, less than a month ago, all that has changed. We still do our routine, but when we put her down and close the door she starts crying and gets up and opens the door. We would lay her back in bed and she would just do it for hours. When she finally would go to sleep, she would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning and do the same thing. We've tried almost everything, even spanking her, which we are not proud of. She is doing it for her naps as well. Lately, we found out she will stay in her bed if we sit there with the door open so she can see us. She will tell us to "sit down" so she can go to bed. But now she is starting to cry again, even if we sit by the door. Not sure what to do in this situation. We are both tired, frustrated, and impatient. Any ideas, counsels, help would be much appreciated.
Thanks

[JenKD]

Sounds like she is apprehensive about something. Have her daily activities changed? Does she have a stuffed animal, etc to sleep with? Does she have the vocabular to tell you what is up? Maybe looking at books on her own in bed will work until she lies down on her own.