3 Year Old Wont Stay in His Bed

We went thru this when my kids were little. we did the gate thing. it is hard and they will cry for as long as they get the attention that they want. ignore it. don't shut your door. just keep saying mommy is sleeping go to sleep. something you could try though that we did. (read it in a magazine or board like this lol) was my husband took the broom in and "swept out" all the scary things from under the bed and out of the closet. of course there was absolutely nothing there but it was the concept. so we did that and it lasted a long time but eventually it got to the point where we didn't have to do it anymore.
S.

Was he really crying for hours? He must be really scared. That's so sad, I would lay with him until he falls asleep. When children feel secure they become more independent.

Poor little guy. That is one of the many reasons we have chosen not to participate in Halloween during these young years. Something to consider for next year. It sounds like you may have to put in a few long nights putting him back in bed every time he gets up and sit with your back to his bed. Gradually you move further towards the door each night. The key is not engaging or even making eye contact when you put them back in bed. It's time consuming but works over 3-4 nights usually. We used it with our daughter. That way, you're there as a comfort but not reinforcing the behavior.

read the book The Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Meyer. THe boy leaves a trail of food for the alligator so he leaves the room. Tell your son that you know what to do now, then take his Halloween candy and have him help you make a trail to the front door. Tell your son that the monster only comes out after he's asleep, so for tonight he'll just have to tough it out and go to sleep really quick, but then the monster will follow the trail of candy right out the door and you will make sure to shut the door behind him so he can't get back in. Make sure you pick up the candy (maybe leave a few wrappers).

I did this with a child I used to babysit for and it worked perfectly. Instead of saying there was no monster, I believed there was and found a solution to make the monster leave.

N.