Reading 3 Yr Old to Sleep

I went with this when I weaned my two year old (and I started wondering if continuing to nurse would just be better!). What worked for us was allowing my daughter to pick out two stories (the second one I have read every night for close to a year!). I put on some quiet music, read two stories an say goodnight. If she says she isn't sleepy, I suggest she tell some stories to her stuffed animal friends. This has worked, but it wasn't until I set the limits that it happened. I would love to have someone read me to sleep!

We had a similar situation with our 3-year old. Bedtime was taking forever and she wanted me to lay with her until she fell asleep. Most nights either me or my husband were up with her until past 9:00 pm. I was desperate for some "me time" so we decided to make a change.

We decided to use a pretty big reward that she would get for going to sleep on her own. We talked about what was going to happen the weekend before we started. We told her that we would do the regular routine but after lights out we were only going to lay with her for 5 minutes. Then we would go downstairs and mommy and daddy would have adult time. She would get to pick out a toy or go out for ice cream on the weekend if she did "big girl bedtime" for the whole week. I think that having a pretty big reward and also talking about everything beforehand really worked.

In addition to all this, we put in a pretty bright nightlight in her room so that she would feel more comfortable being in the dark by herself.

We had a few hiccups along the way but it has been about 6 months now and she goes to sleep on her own consistently now.

Good luck!

When I figured out we needed a regular bedtime routine, it went like this - brush teeth and put on pj's, get in bed, read 5 books, then sing for 15 minutes or so while dd fell asleep. It was exhausting! I gradually altered the routine from the end. I said "We're gonna sing 1 song tonight." A few nights later, I only let her pick out 4 books, then 3 with 1 song.

Now we read 2 books and she goes to sleep. I think the brushing teeth and putting on pj's and choosing a book constitute the routine. My kids get to turn the lamp off every other day and when the lamp is off, it's time for sleep.

Sounds like he's going to bed too late too. My 3 year old has a harder time falling asleep when she's overtired. We start bedtime routines at 7:45 to be asleep by 8:20.

Good luck!

we give my 3 yr old a book and leave the hallway light on for her and let her "read" to herself as long as she stays in bed and is quiet. If she starts being loud or gets out of bed, we turn off the light and close the door.

The threat of turning off the light keeps her in bed. She "reads" til she falls asleep.

Give him a book he knows. Be sure to tell him every night that you'll turn off the light if he gets out of bed or starts being loud. (except for a potty break)

Maybe as an incentive to get to bed earlier you can say, "Lights out at 8:00(or whatever time you choose), let's brush your teeth and put on your jammies so we can read some books!" I did that with my boys and they learned that the longer they dawdled getting ready for bed, the less books they would get to hear. GL!

audio books! they have been a lifesaver for me! teach him to work a cd/tape player in his bedroom. i do however have to put a limit on the number of cd's/tapes my kids listen to on nights that we have just gotten new ones from the library, otherwise they'll stay up for hours just to hear the new stories.

Why do you "need" to read him to sleep? Who is the parent and who is 3 yo? You need to set the rules, just like you did when you told him he needs to sleep in his own bed. Set a routine and stick to it. He will get used to it if you are consistent.

Example -
Bath
Jammies
Vitamins
Teeth brushed
Read (2-3 books or a set amount of time)
Tuck in - Good Night

Mom and Dad are then done. Son stays in bed and eventually goes to sleep. Our son goes through spurts where he tries to call us into his room after we tuck him in - for various reasons (all a ruse to just get us in there). We say "It's nigh-night time. Good night. Love you." - through the door. We don't even go in again unless we know he actually needs us. Sometimes he gets upset for a couple of minutes, but he knows that's just the way it is. He is asleep 10-45 minutes after getting tucked in. Yes, sometimes he talks in his bed, look at books by nightlight, or plays with the couple stuffed animals in his bed...but he always stays in bed and goes to sleep on his own.

Best of luck! You can do it!

PS....if you are interested, check out Love and Logic (books, website, CDs, etc...) Very good parenting material - addresses common issues, such as bedtimes, leaving the house on time, giving kids choices, temper tantrums, etc...