2 Year Old Son Will No Longer Sleep Alone

Hi D.!

It could be that your son finally realized that mom and dad are spending time together away from him! He could just want to be part of your alone time. My son, at 10, was constantly trying to steal more time at night by asking for a cup of water, using the bathroom, getting a snack, needing a hug, etc. I have to set the rules for him, give him all the necessities before bedtime, and make him giggle at least once before I leave his room. (I don't know about the giggling thing...it seems to help him.) I know he's much older than yours, and I still wake up once in a while with him in my bed, (not cool) but he says his bed is uncomfortable. Until I can resolve THAT issue, I'll just keep being firm.

C.
PS- If you check out "Member Perks" on this site, there is a wonderful linked site for CDs or Books tailored with your child's name in them. I listened to samples of the CDs, and the lullaby one is absolutely fabulous. I'm ordering it for my niece.

This is my second time typing this, sorry if you get it twice, I must have hit something & it seemed to go away, so here we go again.

I think this is a common thing at this age. They are now of an age, where things make sence to them. They might see something that makes them scared, uncomfortable or even happy. They dream of these things & might interupt their sleep, their little brains are learning how to proccess & deal with the days events. I would not concern yourself with your child needing a little extra attention. I am a mother of 4 children & my oldest girl went throught the same thing around 2 - 3 years old & lasted roughly 6 months. My youngest girl now 4 still has nights where she will wake me in the middle of the night. Sometimes it's just to get a kiss or reasurring hug. She will then go back to bed. It helps her that her older sister will let her sleep with her. Another mom had a great veiw of it, we have such little time with our children, give them what they need. I actually love my little midnight kisses from my daughter. It's our special thing. All these little things will pass & things get beter as they get older. I would invest a little time in writing down his activities and happenings of the day & see if you might pinpoint the problem. Maybe a show he is watching is to much for him, maybe music might help instead of the T.V (I would stop that, it's not healthy to have an adiction to T.V) I use a Baby Motzart luluby CD to put my kids to sleep. Its calming, there are no words to keep their attention, just soothing classical music.

I know I have not given you any real helpful things, but I hope you find peace with your little ones nightly needs.

Good luck & God bless.

my daughter was the same way when she turned two, she suddenly wanted to rub mommys hair till she fell asleep. well i was like you and worked(alot), so you know what???? i let her!! I would lay with her, and let her rub my hair and i would sing to her and tell her soft funny stories, and within minutes she was a sleep, the constant waking went away, because she knew i was always a room away.
people are eager to have babies self soothe, and thats FINE! theres is a time and a place. Pick your battles, D., decide what your baby needs, and give it to them. i now have a NORMAL, happy, adjusted child, who is 7 and has fallen and stayed asleep on her own since about 3. all im saying is that, we only have a short time her on earth, enjoy your babies when you can.
ps dont use tv, other poster was right, it is a proven fact that it is NOT good to use before bed, especially in kids, try books or meditations, or little stories using their name! good luck!KIM

I'm so sorry I don't have an answer for you... but I have read that TV stimulates brain cells and makes people (espcially children) less able to settle down and stay asleep. I know some people will disagree and say they fall asleep to the TV, but research has shown that it stimulates brain cells, so although it may be helping him fall asleep, it may be the reason he is waking throughout the evening... No clue why he suddenly wants you nearby, though. I would speak with his pediatrician for ideas. How verbal is he? Can he talk with you about it? Maybe he is afraid of "monsters" or something?

I am having the same issue with my son, he is 18 months.