Seeking Advice on How to Get Toddler to Sleep in Own Bed

I have a 4 year old who finally started sleeping alone this past March. I would always have to lay down with him, and at 6 months pregnant I finally said it was time for him to grow up. So I took him out and bought him a super hero night light, and a new superman doll. He can only have them at night, and while he sleeps in his bed. He cried the first couple nights, and it broke my heart. But after those first few nights, it was a huge relief to be able to have my alone time, and my own bed. Not only did he start sleeping in his own bed, but he also learned to go to bed by 8:00. I hope this helps you. Also, I learned that if he gets scared of monsters, tell him you called their mommies and they all had to go home. It sounds crazy, but it worked! Good luck!
L.

I have a 3 year old daughter...I know boys and girls are different but I thought I would share my thoughts.

My daughter's bedtime is 8pm, we start her bedtime routine at 7:15. She is so used to that bedtime that if we are out and can't get home to get her in bed on time, she climbs in my lap and falls asleep at exactly 8!

We make sure all bedtime chores and needs are completed before trying to put her to bed so she can't give those excuses to get up out of bed. Then, when she gets up we are secure in knowing that those are exactly just excuses and she is ok.

My daughter is great at going to bed but she has her days when she just can't fall asleep. I never give in to her at bedtime though because all it takes is 1 day to change their habits! (I think those bad habits take more like a year! ha ha) At naptime if she can't sleep, I let her get up and get a few books to take to her bed for a 30 minute quiet time instead.

So, if she gets up at night, we put her back to bed with a kiss and tell her goodnight. She's learned now what we mean and she won't get back up again, but if you do this with your son and he does, keep doing that until he gives in and stays in the bed. He will realize that he has no other option than to go to sleep.

When I lay in my bed, my daughter can see me from her bed. Sometimes she will try to talk to me or my husband. We don't answer or aknowledge the conversation, we just say "Good night sweetie, we love you." After about 3 tries she gives in, rolls over and goes to sleep.

I hope this helps!!!

I have that problem with my youngest as well. Some nights, I don't worry about it because they do need extra mommy time especially if you have multiple children. However, on a nightly basis, I try to get her to sleep in her own bed. We tried a lot of things, we put a musical light on the bed, she didn't like it, we let her bring toys to bed, she played half the night (but in her room). For Christmas this past year, someone got all of my kids their own radio (you can get them at Wal-Mart in the preschool section). It's small so kids can hold hold it and only has 2 buttons, so they can pick the station, it plays local radio. For whatever reason, it worked, since she has had her own radio, she has been going to sleep one her own much quicker....Hope this helps.

I had a problem getting my daughter out of my bed due to her being special needs and having seizures. I had started her in my bed out of fear and had difficulty breaking the habit. I realize this may sound corny, but I watched Super Nanny and got the strength, courage, and more importantly the tools to break that habit. She deals with this issue with most of the families she helps. It takes just one night of diligence on the parents part, but will do wonders.

Simply have a bedtime ritual such as reading. Give hugs and kisses and say good nite. Leave the room. If the child gets up, simply (without saying A WORD...this is important) take the child by the hand and walk back to the room and put the child in bed. Dont even say good nite. Repeat these steps without the slightest of variance and your child should be ready for bed the very next nite!!

Watch super nanny...she is wonderful!

I don't know if you already tried this or not but try telling your kids that they are a big kids now and big kids can sleep by themselves. Or set a schedule for them to sleep with you couple times a week if you can sleep in their beds once or twice a week and gradually increase the times they go to sleep on their beds. Good luck!

Hi A.,

You know I went through the same problem(s) with my little girl just last year. I made her room so pretty and fun to be in and as far from scary as I could get it and she loved it. BUT, she would NOT fall asleep in there by herself. Sometimes you have to lay in there with them and make them think you're going to sleep in there with them, just until they fall asleep. Some things that I've heard works is giving them an incentive to stay in their own bed. You know like a prize the next day. Something they can't pass up. Then make passes for them for one night out of the week to be able to sleep with you. They can only use it one time and after that, no more! I would say that prayer definately works too. Read to him and read some bible verses over him. Try Psalm 91. I know he won't understand it, but you will, and his spirit will. Help him pray too and make it a routine.

I hope you have sleep full nights very soon!

In Him,
G.