Hi A.,
My son is going to turn 3 next week. He has shared his room with his 4 yr old sister since they were placed with us a yr ago(we adopted them in November).
Once we moved him to his toddler bed, in December, he was sleeping fine. Until about a month ago. He started getting out of bed and standing in the hall listening to those of us that were up. He was going to bed at 7pm. then after he would fall asleep, his 4 yr old sister would then go to bed. She was going to bed about 8:30ish. My problem with his sister, she would sleep until 9am and he would get up at 5:30 6ish. So, we switched. She goes to bed about 7 7:30, we keep him up until 8:30(hoping she is asleep by that time, and mostly is) He falls asleep almost right away and sleeps until almost 6:30. (Note: they both still take naps in the afternoon-in separate rooms-not in our bedrm)
When either of them gets out of bed we gently guide them back to bed and tell them to stay there. If they come out again, we gently guide them back to bed, not saying anything to them. This has been working as she doesn't get out of bed anymore(only happened right after we got them) and he is doing it less and less.
We had a big problem because the foster home they were in, the 'Mom' always let my daughter crawl into bed with her. The Foster 'Mom' had her for two yrs. So we had to figure out that my daughter needed the extra cuddle with me more during the day so she wouldn't be rewuired to have it at night.
I don't know if any of this will help you but I wouldn't give in to letting them in our bed to sleep, at least not all night. And it is far an few times that my 6 yr old son has fallen asleep in our bed and then we move him to his bed. I would guess that he has falled asleep in our bed a total of 5 times. Slept with us 3 times.(not including vacations in hotels) His whole life. He will be 7 this week. We will be moving our 3 yr old into the 7 yr olds room with-in the month. I know that this will stir the house up again but we are prepared.
As for the temper tantrums, they will subside. He will learn that they don't work to get into your bed. All of you may get less sleep for a little while, but it will be worth it in the end. Just don't give up. Keep taking him back to his room.
My daughter stopped the tantrums about 4 days, my son about 7 to 9 days. He sometimes forgets, but he is still in the learning stage. He now gets up maybe once a week.
As for 'monsters', cause we are in this stage right now too. I have a lavender sheet spray. I will spray one squirt in the middle of the room. My kids call it the 'sleep spray'. Takes care of monsters too. I only spray it when someone gets scared or can't sleep. Not every night.
Take what you will and leave the rest behind. Hope this helps.
Good luck and praying helps too.
L.
Married 9 yrs - SAHM - 7 yr old boy, 4.5 yr old girl and 3 yr old boy.(two youngest adopted, oldest is invetro) All specail kids. All Gods children.
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April 11,2008
I know have to EDIT my response.
We have changed our routine since I last posted here and it has worked wonders. No we did not move the 3 yr old son into the 7 yr olds(son) room yet but I moved the 3 yr olds nap to 10 am. He eats lunch when he wakes up, about 1.5 - 2 hrs of sleep.
I stopped my 4.5 yr old daughters naps and we started putting them all down at 8 pm. It has been working WONDERFULLY! (fingers crossed)
If by chance I could not put my 3 yr old son down for his 10am nap, I skipped it and let him stay up all day. He starts to get drowzy about 7:30 and will crawl into the easy chair and snuggle with day until 8. WONDERFUL I tell you. I hope to keep this up even after I move him into the other room.
I hope something is working for you. Remember, if you try something new, try it for at least a month before you change things again(if they are not working for you)
L.
Married 9 yrs - 44 yrs old - SAHM - 7 yr old boy, 4.5 yr old girl and 3 yr old boy.(two youngest adopted, oldest is invetro) All specail kids. All Gods children.