We just converted my daughter to a toddler bed. She loves the bed, and the independence of it. The problem is I think she loves it too much! After we put her to bed, she will wait a few minutes, and then she comes running out. It seems like we have to play this game for an hour. I spank her bottom, her daddy gets on her, I try to talk to her, and we tried time out. None of this seems to work to keep her in bed.

Any suggestions?

    

If you stayed in the room with her for a few minutes, would she fall asleep? Try tucking her into bed and reading her a story each night--the routine will become familiar to her and she will fall asleep more easily. As she gets older, she'll learn to fall asleep on her own.

That is a good idea! We normally read a story in the living room then go to bed.
I tried lying in the bed with her, which was a mistake. She now cries and pats the bed beside of her to get me to lay down with her when she goes to bed. I feel guilty so I comply, which is just making the situation worse. As my husband says I am going to have to stop folding like a cheap lawn chair.