Bedtime Worries

Good Day,
I have always taught my son & now 2 little nieces that the only monsters are people in make-up. For some reason, teaching them all this has worked! I explain that it is just like when Mommy puts on face make-up, it is just a different look. I've put on make up to make a funny face and for unknown reason- they quit being afraid. Unconventional I am sure- but it has worked 3 times now! Good luck!
Kathy N.

My son had this 'scared' problem at about 2 3/4, right around the time (unfortunately) when he learned to climb out of his crib and we were trying to get him to sleep in his toddler bed. I emptied a bottle of hairspray and cleaned it out, labeled it "magic bugspray" (bugs are what he said he was scared of at the time)and we sprayed together and he was allowed to take it in bed with him, along with a kiddie flashlight(he left it on all night and we went through lots of batteries). I taught him to say "go away bugs" and "get out of my room" if he 'saw' any and to spray them. This worked -it also helped that I always left saying I would check on him, and did a few minutes later -I told him he had to stay in his bed and try to fall asleep or else I wouldn't check on him.

So I would suggest 'monster spay' and also get him a mobi tykelight (my new favorite kid product)-it is a night light that you charge everyday and it stays on at night for 10 hours -it is around $25 and is a great product, has 2 brightness settings and a timer option. Good luck!

Well, you may not like my idea, but here goes, take him to target or somewhere inexpensive and let him pick out, new bedding, decorations, nightlights anything for his room that will make him happy! Even rearrange him room anyway he likes Hopefully that helps

this sounds silly, but they actually sell :Monsters Away!

don't buy it, but you could make your own- put some water in a spray bottle & out a lable on it that says MONSTERS GO AWAY!

also when my son went through this stage I kept talking about GOOD monsters: Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover, Zoie, Rosita, etc...

We had a similar situation with our 3yo and I believe we just had to be firm about how it had to be. They are old enough to understand that you set the rules and one of those rules is that everyone sleeps in our own beds. We get him situated and then leave but he knows he is allowed to call us back two times. We come in give him a drink have a very quick snuggle and leave again. He knows this is the routine and that is comforting to him. You can get a spray bottle at the drugstore, fill it with water and tell him it is monster spray. Spray his room before you leave or he may even be excited to do it himself. GL!