Hi what should I do my boy will not sleep in his crib because one night he woke up screaming and trembling scared to death it freaked me out. So I decided to try the play pen and it worked for a couple of days and then the same thing scared to death. So now he is in our bed which sounds sweet and everything but I am losing sleep with the two bed hogs this includes dad :) We all sleep in the same room due to hard times we live with a relative in a two bedroom home. My other son sleeps in the playpen and does okay he's a whole other story UGHH! Well just looking for some advice PLease!!
Well everyone thank you for your wonderful responses :) It's so crazy that the night after I posted this he slept in his bed YAY! We turned the crib to a toddler bed and he was into it. So thanks again I appreciate everything. One less thing too worry about.
Hi A., at 22 months he is to old/big for a crib and playpen, try making a palet on the floor with a pillow and blankets, and see how he does, he may just have a thing about being closed in at his age. Puting kids in bed with you should always be last resort, ( well in my opinion ) J.
Dear A.,
He probably had a nightmare or something like that. He also reacted to your fright, kids are experts about their parents moods and feelings. You are also feeling very insecure and uncomfortable about living with relatives. Tell them you need to let your son cry in the night and ask them how they feel about that. They will probably be supportive, especially since you are a diligent mom, and will not be neglecting the baby.
Remember, we live in an affluent country, but not everyone is on easy street. The television misleads us into thinking that we all can be yuppies and have alllll that stuff that supposedly makes us happy. Well, you have an elegant caring family, and that can give you much more comfort and peace than anything that you cannot afford to buy.
Just pinch your pennies and work, work, work, and communicate, communicate, communicate, and respect each other and love, love, love. ...and everything will be alright....sooner or later.
I grew up in Arkansas during the 1930's, my sister is now sort of uppity, and I love to tell her that we were homeless before it was popular.
We were ! My Dad lost his job of 20 years, and we had to go to live with my grandmother who was not the loveyist person in the world. It was 4 or 5 years that our family was apart, but we got back together and lived a very happy and contented life. (my grandmother wouldn't let my Dad stay with us there in her house).
And there you are another side of the story.
C. N.
I'm wondering if perhaps your 22 month old is going through "night terrors." It isn't as horrible as it sounds...but it's purely developmental... at a certain age, they suddenly wake up screaming, as though they had a nightmare, and it wakes them and they "seem" scared... sometimes they are not even aware of what they are doing.
Research this "night terrors" on the internet. Both my kids went through this. It is different from "night mares." Or perhaps he is having night mares?
Here's a link for "night terrors":
http://www.google.com/search?q=what+are+night+terrors&...
It just a "phase" and they grow out of it. They can't help it, it isn't something that you can control... it just happens when they are sleeping.
Perhaps, as an alternative, since you are all in the same room... same bed....Could you possibly afford to get a small "futon" type thing? It's often a folding foam "bed" in 3 panels that can be folded and then laid out on the floor as you need it... thus, this can probably give you more "room" and another place for one of the children/parent to sleep on instead of all squeezing into one bed.
Here where I live, they sell these "futon" foam beds at Walmart.
For us, we have a futon in our room, in addition to our bed, and my son is also in our room in his crib...but we all pretty much co-sleep a lot of the time. But the futon give us more flexibility and room to sleep so to speak.
Anyway, hope this helps. Just some ideas.
take care,
~Susan
Hello, A.,
Have him sleep with his little head North. Happy sleeping!
My very best,
T.
Hello! Lots of good suggestions coming in. How about trying a toddler mattress on the floor next to your bed - he can hold your hand if he gets scared to fall asleep, but you still have your space in bed. Also, the tent idea someone suggested was great too! Good luck - hopefully just a phase that will soon pass.
Hi A.:
I agree,that your son probably has outgrown his crib. CIO is not the answer. Not only because your living with family,but because you are living in such close quarters,and he would see you laying there the entire time he cried out for you.Not good.I agree with Susan,about coming up with something smaller for him,to sleep on.If you haven't room for a futon,how about a small mattress,or blowup mattress,and use a sheet,to make him his own (PRIVATE TENT)He may think thats great. : ) I hope things begin looking brighter for you, and your able to get into your own place soon.It will be so much easier on you.
Get that boy out of your bed!! He is totally playing with you! I know that sounds harsh. I read that he woke up screaming...put him in a toddler or twin bed, and try lying with him til he goes to sleep. It will take a few weeks, maybe even longer. That's at least what I had to do...
we are in the same situation with living in the same room. I suggest you get him out of ur bed asap. okay, so my son went thru a faze where he wanted to sleep with us and we did it until there wasn't enough room. we allowed him to fall asleep in our bed but we then move him to his crib. and for the rest of the night that is where he stays. It is a rule engraved in his head. if he cry's you get up and tell him its' his bed and thats where he stays. eventually as the days go on he will realize you are not bugding and stick to it. you might have a few nights of trouble but stick with it your 22 month old is old enough to start understanding certian rules.
good luck and I hope times look up for you soon.
