My 3yr old wont sleep in his own bed. What can i do?

Answer 1

Our son would always come and get into bed with us. We bought some of those peel and stick glow in the dark stars and planets and stuck them all over the ceiling. When he wakes up and wants to get in bed with us he will lay there and look at those instead. You just have to make sure that his light is on for a few minutes before you actually put him in bed so they will charge up. Also, instead of him wanting to start out in our bed I will sometimes lay in there with him for a few minutes and count the stars or name them until he gets tired and then he will stay in there. It really helps. He doesn't try to come get in our bed anymore and the stars are fairly cheap at toys r us or any store like that. Walmart also has them in animal foot prints. Worked for us!

Answer 2

I had this problem when my son was 3 and my daughter was 18 months. So...I spent 3 very sleepless nights getting them to sleep in their bed. First I took them to their room, read 2 stories, brushed teeth and told them that it was nite nite time. Then I would leave their nightlight on and put a child safety gate up in their bedroom door so that they couldn't escape (take the gate down after they fall asleep).

The first night was a disaster...lots of screaming and gnashing of teeth. The second night was hard but not as bad as the first. Third night was better. By the end of the week, they were sleeping in their own beds until about 4am. Now that they are older...I bought an alarm clock with big numbers on it and told them they aren't allowed to come to our bed until the clock says 6:00. They are very good about not coming in until then.

So, now they are 3 and 4 yrs old...bed time is promptly at 7pm and they get up at 6am. I couldn't ask for a better schedule. there is no fighting at bedtime and we no longer use the safety gate. They appreciate the routine....and so do I.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

You have to make him honey. You are the boss. He is testing your authority I imagine and trying to make you feel a little guilty. Of course the quietest way without making a big noise and keeping him calm before bed is for you to lay down with him in his bed until he falls asleep. Read him a book it will make him smarter and a better reader.Do that the first couple of days. The next couple of days you sit up and read to him as only he lays down. Make sure the book is something that will hold his attention. He may not be interested in The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren yet, lol. If he likes trucks find a big colorful children's book on trucks, take him with you to your local library & allow him to pick it out. The more times you read it to him the more comforting that book becomes, you may have to buy it. Every couple of nights try to sit a little farther away after the book is read & he has a kiss goodnight. Do not give in to him getting out of bed. Don't spank before bed, put him back & tell him no. Keep it simple. Before you know it, with a little patience you are out of there (after that story of course).

Answer 4

Have a consistent bedtime routine and don't let him get away with his antics. YOU are the parent, not him. Every night give him a bath or whatever you do and then when it's almost time for bed tell him, "bedtime in ten minutes." Don't argue or bargain with him. It's not up for discussion. Tuck him in bed, kiss him good night,etc. and close the door. If (or when) he gets out of bed the first time in the night, take him to bed and tell him he needs to sleep in his room. Tuck him in, kiss him good night and close the door. Every time thereafter simply take him back to his bed and put him in bed....no more kisses good night or rewarding his bad behavior by talking to him. Silently but firmly and calmly put him to bed. Continue doing this as needed. When he gets the idea that you're not going to back down, he'll start sleeping in his own bed. It may take up to a month. Keep your cool and do everything very calmly. Consistency is the key to good parenting.

Answer 5

You could try setting up a bed for him in your room. That way he is still comforted by you being close by, but not right there in your bed. When he is doing well with that, move the bed a little further away from you. Keep moving the bed a little further and further away until he is in his room.
We did the bed moving thing with our oldest and it worked pretty well. We had her out of our room within two months. However, she came back in when baby #2 came along. We currently have our bed, her twin, and a toddler bed in our room. I don't personally see a big problem with the kids in our room, but it is nice having our bed back!
Go with you gut and what works for you and your family.
Hope this helps!

Answer 6

He probaly is scared of something but maybe u should take him to his bed and lay in the bed with him then when he's asleep u get out of the bed quietly and go to your do this until he learns to sleep in his bed.Then if that dosent work u read him a story then talk to him about sleeping in his own bed.

Answer 7

I am having the same problem with the same age. Nothing is working. I am starting to come to grips with the idea that I will have a 18 year old sleeping in bed with me. lol.

Answer 8

My daughter had that problem. You just have to have a few sleepless nights making the kid sleep in their own bed. It really sucks to break this habit, but trust me, the sooner you do it the better for all of you. Good Luck!

Answer 9

Let him have a night light. Read with him for a while and tell him that "Big boys sleep in their own bed." Try that. It probably won't work, but try that first. If that doesn't work, then you may have to try spanking. Let him know that you will be in your bed if he needs you.

Answer 10

Try a nice bath every night at the same time, some sleepy time ( grocery stores have it) tea and spend the night in his room until he falls asleep. Read stories or listen to music in the dark with him. Buy some lavender incents to burn while he is in bed. After a while spend less time in his room until you won't have to anymore.