My 2 1/2 year old daughter wakes up everyday between 5am-6am, no matter when she goes to sleep (we've tried adjusting the time). She doesn't nap on the weekends but takes a short nap at school M-F. WHen she wakes up early, she goes into her big sister's room, turns on the light & climbs in bed with her. It sounds very sweet, but they never seem to be able to get back to sleep, and I'm concerned about both of my girls not getting enough sleep. We've tried positive reinforcement for days she deosnt go into her sister's room (but then she comes into our room), and we've tried putting a gate on her door but then she just screams and wakes everybody up anyway. Any ideas to help us would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, everyone, for the responses... just knowing how common this is makes me feel better!
We bought a http://www.mytotclock.com/home.php to help my almost 3 year old with that same thing. It took a while, but she now comes in as soon as it says she can instead of the hour leading up to it.
May sound silly, but can her sister lock the door? An EASY one that you can unlocl with fingernails in case of an emergency... but that a 2 1/2 year old can't figure out?
If not, try a tot clock. At 2 1/2 she should understand, my son knows he can't get up until it's daylight
I think she's ok, just come up now with a new "rule" for them both when they are in the room more so than trying to keep your toddler out. Turn off their lights and do the bed routine with both of them until they sleep. You can always transport your toddler back to her room when asleep.
It will pass. If she is o.k. otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it. Isn't it great that she loves her sister so much? The only thing that I can suggest is unplugging the sister's light so it doesn't wake her up. Unless it REALLY bothers her sister to be woken up. Otherwise, let it go! Pretty soon, they will be fighting over much more important things and this will be forgotten.
what worked for my dd was an alarm clock. Above it was the time she was allowed to leave her room (7:00) in the same size as the clock numbers. She is allowed to come into our room only when the numbers match. Maybe that would help?
It's a phase....and not one that's too bad! If your older daughter doesn't like it, then just let your toddler come in with you. I know my daughter will come into bed with me and she goes right back to sleep. Think about it this way, do you really want your child to see you push away her affection? She needs to know you're there for her. I'm all for the 'tough' love... I did the 'let her cry' method but I ensure her that I'm there for her.
~Use your natural moomy instinct!
