Sleep and kids are 2 words that don't really mix, especially with young kids.

We have some issues with our own (mainly our 5 month old and our almost 3 year old) which are ongoing (3 year old sleeps on matress in toy room, but it works) and we are pretty over it too.

The one thing that we have found to help with our toddler is getting her to put herself to bed.  She selects toys and books she wants to have in bed, then gets into bed herself and covers herself.  She has been doing this for over a week now, and is asleep within minutes every night (though still not in her proper bed! lol).  maybe you could try something like that too.

Hi there, You need to have a firm routine. It may take some bribery and corruption to get them to take to it, but if you stick with it and stay firm, it will work. I don't know how old your chiildren are, but if you explain that they are going to get a special treat at the end of the week ( give them 2 things to choose from) if they follow the routine and stay in bed and go to sleep ( it might be a lunch at maccas or a ride to the park and a picnic, or something they really want to do with you) each night they follow the routine and go to sleep without fuss and bother they can put a sticker on the chart ( rule one up, write the days on it and buy a pack of stickers) and when they finish the week, they can have their treat. If they are younger, it may have to be each morning after they have complied, then they can have a special sticker and a reward ( cartoons on TV, a special brekkie, a treat for morning tea etc) Our routine is dinner. Half an hour of play time, into the bath. Read stories in bed, teeth, toilet , bed, lights out and 2 songs. Then we have a cuddle, blow kisses and sleep. It works 90% of the time. Every now and then, the cherub will hop up and come up with a myriad of excuses. The result is always the same. It is bedtime, back to bed, I love you but it is sleep time...goodnight. I don't enter into any discussion, explanations or anything else. I don't use any bribery or corrupption for this, but it has worked in getting other things under control! It always comes down to be persitant and consistant. If you do not follow the rules you set, neither will they. Kids love routine and knowing that they have some control. This gives them both. Good luck!!! ( mind you there are always setbacks ...ie: when they are ill or you have vistors etc...... but if you get straight back to the routine once the event is over.... great !) 

there are a lot of factors that determine how well your kids go to bed, and not knowing your exact situation and day to day life, its difficult to make suggestions, but here are some things to keep in mind:  do your kids respect your authority and listen to you with other things or is it just bed time thats the problem, are they getting enough positive attention one on one during the day which might make them play up at bed time, are they having sufficient wind down time before bed, do they have a routine so they know what to expect of them at this time of day, are they getting enough physical activity during the day- exercise is good for sleep, is there a lot of yelling and stress at bed time or is it calm and relaxing, do you and your partner provide a united front at bed time or can the kids play you off against one another, are they in the same room or separated, do they get put to bed when they are not tired, tired or overtired.  hope these thoughts help.

I say just stick at it..  Whenever they get up take them back to bed, read them a story..  They do have programs for sleep problems, you or the child goes and stays over night you would have to go back to your doctor/health nurse to ask them about it.

good luck