2Yr Olds Sleeping Habits

Hi K., I know exactly what you are going through. I went through the same thing when my daughter went to a big girl bed. Discipline and fear is not going to help in this situation. I used a reward system. Most two year olds, love stickers. I hung a calander up over my daughters bed, and every night that she slept in her bed, she got to put a sticker up in the morning. We started with a short amount, 1 week. If she completed a whole week, she got a special suprise, whether that was time with mom doing something fun, or a new small toy, whatever you think is best. Then we made the time longer. By the time we got to a whole month, she didn't seem to care that much about the rewards anymore. Now, if she got out of bed, I would simply remind her of her sticker and she would go back. If she absolutely refuses don't let her sleep with you. Have a 'bed' made next to your bed, so she feels close, but you still get to sleep. Also, when she does earn a sticker make sure to praise her generously. This will tell her that she has done something good and made mommy happy and proud. Hope this helps and let us know. Sincerely, K.

When each of my three children (almost6,4, and 2 1/2)went through the come to Mom's bed stage, I put out a "special bed", which is a sleeping bag on the floor beside my side of the bed. Initially I had to reach down and hold a hand or rub a back, but soon they were just happy to lay down nearby. My 2 year old will come in and I won't even know until morning now. Just waiting to figure out what to do when my infant twins hit that stage-Dad may get one on his side.

K., my son is 6 and I just won my bed back 3 weeks ago. I couldn't keep him in his own bed and so it was easier to put him in bed with me, then we both got some sleep. I like the idea of putting a pallet next to the bed- and wish I had know that 4 years ago. it was not only hard on him to get into his own room, it was hard on me too. I do enjoy my space, but was used to having the little guy snuggled up next to me

When we changed my son over to his big boy bed we put up a gate. We kept it up for the first month, now if he will not stay in his bed we simply say "do we need to put up the gate?" He climbs right back in bed. He does pretty good with this. We have only had to use the gate once since taking it down. We also ask him if he would like his night light on. Sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't. Lots of times it is just knowing that we are just across the hall sleeping too.

Hope that helps.

K. my advice to you if you don't want this to continue is to stop it right now!! Tell your daughter when you put her to bed that she needs to stay in her own bed, unless she needs something then come and get you. When she comes to your bed then get up and take her right back. You don't want to stay with her in her bed because then that will be another habbit you will have to break.
My kids are not allowed to sleep in our beds and have never been...I know that sounds mean,but I am not about to get into a habbit that I know I will have to break...If they are sick or something then that is different.
Good luck!! A.

My son went through the same thing when I moved him out of his crib... I will tell you what works wonders for me... I give him a bath around 7 o'clock and read him a book in bed... If that does not put him to sleep then I have him lay in bed and put in a short movie and he does not even make it through the first 10 minutes...

D. R

I wish I could help you out on this but my daughter is almost 6 and still does. To tell you the truth I love having her in the bed with me but usually we let her sleep on a sleeping bag on the floor. Kids at this age are afraid of being alone - it's natural. They are only small for so long. :)