Getting Almost 3YO to Bed

I had the same issue with my first child. When I became pregnant with my second child as I became larger, there was less and less room for her in the bed with us. She started to complain and I explained that there was a lot of room in her own bed. So she began to want to sleep in her own bed, not all night at first but finally she did. This was her own choice and I think that's key when you have a strong willed child to make things seem to be their choice when it really is what you wanted them to do in the first place. Just be patient and hopefully she will make her own decision to be a big girl and go to her bed.

Hope this helps!

It sounds like she is going through a bit of an adjustment with the new house and that may take a little while. I would try the "No Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers"...it will give you a variety of things to try...all that will be gentle and help her get use to things. I would also try talking to her about the situation, your expectations, what she thinks about things, etc. in the middle of the day or well before bedtime. I have found with my 3 year old it helps a lot to talk about things and is helpful when it is not right before or during the situation you are trying to change.

Good Luck,

W.

Consistency is the name of the game. Not that we are experts at this. It's like with discipline. potty training. you name it. I know those late hours are the frustrating ones. Does she have a fav. blanket or doll? Perhaps go buy one together and that sleeps with her. We actually were told by our pediatrician to use my 3 yr old daughter's fav blanket as the thing that goes to time out. She really dislikes that. I am not saying start using time out late at night but make her room enticing. Perhaps tell her you will come in and check on her a lot. We also bought a twilight turtle--or rather received it as a gift long time ago. I think the company is cloudb. does she have music?
start setting limits. stick to them. good luck.

I suggest you get a copy of 1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phelan. It's a good book and has a few helpful suggestions on bedtime struggles. I had a very hard time with that when my son was two and just in a new bed. Only, instead of getting up five times, he'd get up 50. We wound up turning the door locks around. But, for the nighttime routine, you want to teach them that it's not exciting once lights go out for them. I call it "door duty," and since you're pregnant, I don't recommend you be the one doing it. You sit outside their door (plan to do this for at least a week) and intercept them if they come out of their rooms. You silently turn them around, put them back in bed, and say goodnight and close the door. At its worst, like I said, we had to get up from the door 50 times. But, it prevented him from walking all the way through the house to the family room to find us and really getting revved up. You might also talk to her about her fears about being in the new houw (not while you're getting ready for bed, but at another part of the day).

Ok, P., this may sound crazy, but it worked for us. Both of my children slept through the night in their own beds without getting up until they were around 3 years old. My husband and I have very busy lives and I guess we get too busy at those ages. We received some great advice with our first child, took it, and it worked. Here it is...as your child gets older, they have the desire to know everything is ok. It's important for them to see their mommy and daddy together and spending time with just one another. It was suggested to us that we spend 5 minutes (to start with), every night, talking to each other. Yep, that's it, only us, not the tv, not doing dishes, just focusing on each other. We had to explain to our child that this was "Mommy Daddy time" and they could go play while we had "our time." At first our child played in the same room we were in, but we did not play, we were on the couch and they had toys. We had to explain how this was going to happen and they couldn't interrupt. The first couple times they thought it was fun to interrupt, but we just said, this is our time, you get to play. If everything is alright, enjoy your playtime. They grinned and went back to playing. My first child would get annoyed with us and eventually would just watch us talk to each other. We were amazed at the results. After our "time" we would continue with the nighttime routine, baths, story, bed. After about 4 "Daddy, Mommy times" there were no more out of bed interruptions. I can tell you, too, it was great to have my husbands undivided attention and he have mine. It not only reassures the kids, but you too. It's nice to remember that you came before the kids :). Our children seemed to need to know mommy and daddy were ok. If we didn't have our time, they would check to see if everything was ok while they were supposed to be asleep. Truly, now that they are in school, my husband and I need our "Daddy Mommy time" and the kids know to go do their thing while we talk. It's great. Just a suggestion. I hope you enjoy your new home and newest addition.

I am sorry I do not have a great idea other than getting a bigger family bed and insisting she sleep. Cut out all sugar for a few days, even fruit, low carbs, and up the protein. Plan very physical activities each day. Cut out naps if she takes them. Let her sleep with you.
My girl went through something similar about the same age. At 2.5 we moved to a new house. She wanted her own bed and own room. She loved it from the start. One day the switch went off. We had struggles. She kept saying she was scared. I did everything to get her to go to her room to sleep. She is currently in our family bed. She is taking naps again. We're experiencing the ebbs and flows of childhood.
I hope your family finds your best answer.
Blessings.

1-2-3 Magic was a good book. I got a used copy off Amazon for like $4. Super Nanny says if they get out of bed, just lead them by the arm back into their bed- without a word. Keep doing this until they get the hint. First couple nights are gonna have tantrums, after that, should be ok. Mine has started to have every excuse in the book to prolong bedtime. I have to go potty!, I need a drink!, I want a hug!, I'm hungry!. she was sleeping with her lamp on becasue she said she was scared of the dark, but we got a new night light and I crack the door now. The night time routine is a little better because I think the light was too bright and keeping her up...We do 3 books, our secret handshake, kisses, hugs and then I leave, with soft music playing. She will read in her bed most times until she falls asleep...Good luck! Thats got to be exhausting and frustrating when you are pregnant and tired too!

PS- If she gets really bad and wont stop crying for no reason, I threaten to turn all the lights off and close her door, and leave her in the dark. If she doesnt want to be left in the dark, she stops crying and lays quietly...but I try to avoid this approach. It does work though usually.

At 3 you might be able to use a small chart. For each night she goes to bed well (reasonably well) she gets a sticker... for each, say 3 stickers , she gets a reward. Whatever motivates her, small toy, piece of candy, special show on tv, call to Grandma, etc. Keep the chart visible on fridge. At least until you can get her in the habit. Then maybe you can establish the bedtime routine the way you need it to be. I wish I had better ideas. When my little one had nights like that I sometimes did resort to getting rough with him , but I hate to send him to be with a spanking. However I did need to get it through to him that this (going to bed) wasn't about what HE wanted to do. (I would get the "but I don't want to!!!)

All I can say is Melatonin worked wonders for me for my twin girls. Their pediatrician even said it was okay to give but I know how others feel about herbs and such and children blah blah...result my kids were asleep by a decent time and honestly now that they are 6 usually give me no problems and even ASK me to go to bed when they get tired. They are now so used to a schedule and consistancy. I would give the melatonin at 7:00 and by 7:30 or 8:00 they were in the bed-ASLEEP. No waking during the middle of the night either of course I never had an issue with that in the first place.
If you don't want to try that route then "consistency" is the key...when she climbs in the bed with you no matter how exhausted tired you are you are gonna have to pick her up and take her back into her bedroom. If she fights about it explain to her that she has to stay there. Mommy and Daddy have their own bed and she has her own bed. I started this from a much younger age but both of mine know there is not any going into mom and dad's bed unless you are sick or bad dreams. Even with bad dreams after a bit you have to go back. If she doesn't stay you are gonna have to keep placing her back-it really stinks at 3:00 a.m. to be doing this but eventually she will catch on and do what she is supposed to. You know like the saying says: It takes 7 days to develop a bad habit and 7 days to break it. I think sometimes it might take a little longer like two weeks but I guess everyone is different. Good luck keep us updated :)