I have a 3-year old daughter who will not sleep in her own bed. She began sleeping with Mommy & Daddy when she was about a year and a half because she wouldn't sleep through the night. Since Mommy worked full-time and was sleep deprived, it was easier to place her on the bed with Mommy & Daddy.....big mistake, I know!!
She is now three years old and still sleeping with Mommy & Daddy. We tried sleeping with her in her room, but that didn't work. Daddy offered to put her toddler bed in our room, but that didn't work either. I really don't know how to get her to sleep in her own bed..........please help!
I would like to THANK all who responded to my request. We went ahead and replaced my daughter's toddler bed with a full-size bed. She picked out her sheets and comforter and we made a big deal about organizing her room and placing the bed where she'd feel most comfortable. We bought her a fan to block out any interruptions (cars passing by, etc.), and left her night lite on. She had trouble the first couple of nights, but is doing well. She had her 2 1/2 year old cousin come over last weekend to spend the night with her for the first time and she loved it.
I have a five year old with same problem..deal with it NOW.
The secret is to come up with a strict bedtime routine and stay with it.. You cannot break the cycle..I know it is hard because you will both be tired and it is easier to let your daughter get back in your bed, but if this is going to work, you 2 need to be on the same page....
This question comes up every few months.. Check out the post from Sheila R on Nov.14th, 2008. She was given great advice and you will notice, I also included more previous advice on that date.
This friday will be a perfect time to begin this switch.
So get prepared. Make a plan and make sure your husband is on board. Since it is Spring and the days are longer and hotter, I suggest you get something to block out the light in her room. Also maybe purchase a fan.. A ceiling fan will not do enough on its own.You need a fan to blow on her and that has a slight hum, for the white noise...
The other thing I remind parents is that you cannot change this routine on the weekends... Stick with this routine. If you have a babysitter, have them follow the exact routine. Young children like routine and do better with a strict one. This is part of parenthood. Set your child up to succeed and she will.
I am excited to see what advice you get. My daughter is 2 1/2 and just learned tonight how to climb out of her crib. I guess I am going to have to transition her into a toddler bed. My daughter also sleeps with us (from day 1) but starts off laying down in her own bed. She doesn't fall asleep in her crib. I have to end up going to get her, so I know with a toddler bed she will be out right when I put her in there. Good luck and I will be checking back for advice.
The bottom line is taht you're going to have to be more strong-willed than she is. Set up a bed in her room (probably a toddler or twin bed), let her help pick out the bedding...get her excited about this. Really play it up that she is a big girl and she is getting a big girl bed. You don't "offer" to put a bed in your room. You are the parents and you let her know that this is what is "going to happen". She has all of the control here and she knows it. You have to take that control back if you want her in her own room.
After you get her bed set up and her new, fun sheets on her bed. Get a bedtime routine. Ours is bath, PJ's, stories, brush teeth, potty and then in the bed for hugs and kisses and a prayer (we also have a 3 year old). We turn music on softly for her to go to sleep and she has a nightlight. Do this routine every night and tell her that she will be sleeping in her own bed. When she gets out of the bed, you put her back in it immediately. The first time, you tell her that it is time to go to sleep. After the first time, don't even speak to her, just pick her up or lead her back to the bed and tuck her in again. You will probably have to do this over and over again, but if you don't give in, she will get it eventually and will learn that she has to stay there. If she comes to your bed in the middle of the night, you're going to have to get up and put her back in her bed. If you give in, just once, you might as well start all over again.
Good luck! This is going to be tough, but only for a few days or a week. She'll catch on, but again, you have to be tougher than she is or she'll win! :-)
We had the same problem. The sooner you deal with it the better. DD would start out in her own bed and then "sneak" in to bed with us in the middle of night.
We tried a toddler bed but it didn't work. DH suggested it was because our bed was more comfortable. So, afer getting the advice to buy a good quality full or queen bed rather than a twin, we went shopping and bought a "real" big girl bed - full size and very comfy. DH and DD had a great time trying out all the beds.
She picked out sheets and bedding and we made a HUGE event over setting up and making the bed.
It was still a struggle, but she now sleeps in her own room and doesn't get up (unless she has to use the bathroom) without permission.
One friend told me that you just have to be willing to put her in to bed one more time than she is willing to get up. Hint - definitely start on a Friday or even better over a long weekend!
We also asked her what she needed to feel safe and secure in her bed and room.
