3 1/2 Year Old Won't Stay in His Bed at Night...

I have had this problem with both of my older children. I have allowed them to sleep on the floor in my room with their own pillow and blanket when they come in. In the morning I have had talks with them to ask why they are coming in and have told them how they need to stay in their bed. Both of them stopped coming into my room after less than 1 week.

I know how you feel! I'm having a problem right now with my 2 1/2 year old daughter, same thing. Last night she went to bed and fell asleep, but was up about 10 times before 2:30. It's terrible for me and terrible for her in the morning because she's so tired the next day. I wont use a babygate because my exhusband (has the kids 2 nights a week) tried that, and my kids (twins) hurt themselves a couple times climbing over it. I agree witht he girl that said use chocolate though! I read the book Good Night Sleep Tight a year or so ago, and that did wonders for us, but for some reason my daughter goes through phases where she sleeps good for a while, then she's up every night for weeks. They say kids will do that when they have dreams or learn new skills, etc. Anyways, I started telling them when I put them to bed "it's night night time, everybody has to stay in bed, and if you stay in bed all night till its light out or until Mommy comes and gets you in the morning, you'll get a special treat". They get so excited that they might get a special treat, and 95% of the time it works. My special treats are sometimes a tootsie roll or a chocolate, or something cheesy from the dollar store, a bag of rocks, a little necklace. Try it, I hope it helps!

Does your son give a reason for not sleeping in his room? Is it too dark in his room? Did he go potty before bed? Maybe try sleeping in his room half the night...on the floor and working your self out the door each night.

I agree with the other moms about asking him why he won't stay in bed, but in addition, you may want to spend the night in his room if you can on a weekend night. I did that in our previous house and found out that the tree outside his window casted a funky shadow into his room and it scared him. We got a better shade for his room and problem was solved.

There might be a shadow or noise or something else that you may be unaware off that wakes him up. Then again, there may be nothing. But I thought I'd share the thought.

I recently had the same issue with my almost 2 1/2 year old. We tried everything! The last suggestion I received seemed to work a little better: Postive reinforcement....Explain to your son that he needs to stay in his bed all night and how important it is for everyone to get good sleep, etc. (make your own "sleep rules") Place three pieces of candy/chocolate (I know some may totally disagree) on a table outside his room or on your dresser, where ever you decide and promise them to him in the morning if he stays in his bed all night. If he gets up, remove one of the pieces of candy, etc. My son only got to eat one piece of chocolate, but this system seemed to make it all sink in for him. I could also tell he was sleep deprived from the constant getting up and down routine because he started sleeping a lot more once he finally slept through the night again. My best to you...I feel your pain!!

M.
I also have the same problem from my 3 1/2 year-olds. If you discover a solution I too would like to know. Did you have the same problem with your daughter at that age?

I have a 4 yr old son who still has "problems" getting to sleep at nite. My olnly suggestion to you is this: Saftey 1st's Secure Grip Door Knob Cover. I use it on his door knob at nite and at nap time, to ensure not only my sleep, but his own. With giving him the freedom to open and close his door at will, he is testing you, I believe, on how far you will go to get him to stay in his own room. It wasn't easy at first, but eventually he got the idea, and learned that "sleep time" was for both him and Mommy, and that "Mommy needed to rest, too."
Good luck, M.!
And just so you know, I use it also for my 2 yr old daughters room. I started her out with it over 6 mos ago, and she is really good at staying in her bed and NEVER geting up, unless she needs to go potty, at which, i get up and take her. Using a "baby" monitor helps, as well, so you can monitor your child from any room in the house.
Take Care!

Hello
Same thing as my daughter. i keep to put her bed when she walk to my bed and want mommy . i told her go bed to sleept so she stubbron so i stay with her til she fall sleep. then igo back to my bed sleep but she back to old self cuz scare and see her daddy leave us. i try to her back to normal to sleep soon.
faith and try to him break go ur bed night time.