her since birth. I have literally slept with her since she has been born because it has been easier. So I thought. I have a 1 1/2 year old also. Big sis. waits for me to get baby to sleep so I come and lay with her. Then baby wakes in the night 2 to 4 times as well. Big sis. still wakes 1 or 2 times and looks for me if I not there in her bed when she wakes. I am just looking for encouragement on having hope that she would be able to learn to sleep on her own without traumatizing her. I have a plan to try sitting by her bed and gradually moving out kind of thing. Thanks for any info. :)
That is a good plan you can also try a reward system with her as well. By giving her something special each time she sleeps alone. Just talk with her on her level and do what you are doing.
We bought a bed canopy for our daughter. Made her feel like a princesss. We told her this is how princesses sleep and it did the trick. You can find them on-line in all sorts of styles and they range in price from $20- $40. Well worth it! Also, they have bed tents for twin size beds. That might also interest you. I'd look at both and give some consideration as to whether you think this might entice her into her own bed. Good luck.
If you want to stop sleeping with your 4yr old you need to decide to do it and do it. She is old enough to know what you are doing and why? Say she's a big girl and she's old enough to sleep alone. Her younger sister need you right now and you are going to be there for her. If you decided to do it don't turn back. If you do it two nights and than stop she will know you can and if you try again she will fight harder to make it hard on you so you will stop. She only wakes up to make sure you are holding your end up on the bargain to make sure you are still there and no other reason. Put her to bed like any other night just don't lay down with her. If you think she might need something have her choose a animal to take with her. I've told my daughter her Tigger is a protector. So whenever she is having a hard night she ask for her Tigger. It works for her and it makes it easier for her to be a big girl.
We had this battle when my daughter was two. We moved her into her own room when we moved into a new house and she got a new big girl bed. However, it was months before she went to bed nicely. And it broke our hearts, but we just stuck to our guns. We would lay with her, then we got to where we would sit outside of her door and just put her back in bed. A good idea, though, is to take her shopping to redo her room. If her room is a place she feels is all her own, she will want to spend more time in there. Hopefully that helps. And keep in mind, she won't be 15 still sleeping in your bed!!
K. B
This may work! Talk with your four year old child and explain that she is a big girl now and that you are going to place the little one in the same room with her for a while. Now, they can keep each other company and that Mommie will say a bed time prayer with them together and have a little talk time before I leave the room. Also, tell her, that Mommie is going to let them go to sleep and that she will be close if they need her. Give the older child a little responsibility in that she is one to call for Mommie, even if the little girl needs her..... This may be an option for you......
"C."
____@____.com
It can be done. It will happen. Hang in there.
My oldest didn't start sleeping on her own until she was 4. We had just moved to a new house. So, in the spirit of new things, we told her it was time to sleep in her own room. She was NOT thrilled with the idea at all. This was the kid who would sleep on the couch in the living room (just outside our bedroom) rather than sleep in her own room.
So, we went shopping for a new quilt and made a big deal out of it. She chose a princess quilt and picked out a Tinkerbell pillow. I think the pillow is what sold her on the idea.
Still, she'd often come to our bed around 5:00am. A few months later, her little sister (2) learned to open doors and would sneak into bed with her. It really helped having them sleep together.
in my opinion you won't be traumatizing her...just DO it! For your piece of mind and hers as well. Talk it about about her being a big girl and how exciting it will be - buy a special blanket or stuffed animal and include a night lite. She will balk and cry and probably scream but it DON"T back down...do a Nanny 911 technique...tuck her in, read a book,(or whatever your nitetime routine is) say goodnight and leave the room. Each time she gets up and comes out of the room walk her back in and put her back in bed but don't say anything to her. It will be exhausting and might take hours to get her to bed but eventually she will get that you mean it. Good luck to you!
