How do I stop my 6 year old daughter from coming in my bedroom late at night?

Question

It's happening every night. She says she's scared of bears coming in the house or something ludicris like that. Sometimes I sleep through it but she wakes my wife up almost every hour ALL NIGHT LONG! Since my wife isn't getting much sleep, she's real cranky and taking it out on me.

We've tried telling her that everything's ok. We've tried threatening her. We've tried yelling at her. We don't know what to do. She's a good kid (healthy too.)

We will not give in and let her sleep in our bed (which is what she wants to do). I'm not gonna start with that crap.

HELP :(

Just for your info. I won't lock the door. She's too young. She's having a problem and that's definitely NOT the answer.

Answer 1

Some things that you can do is try to address her "fears", whether they seem made-up or not. Before bed have her check for bears or other spookie things. Ask her at a non-bedtime to explain what exactly she is afraid will happen - remember calmly and openly so that she doesn't think that she is in trouble or that you are mad at her. Ask her what she thinks would stop what is scaring her - have her brainstorm possible 'bear-traps'. If she has some answers indulge them to the best of your ability and patience, it sounds like she wants some attention from you and may not be able to ask for what she wants until it is the middle of the night. She also might have some fears that she can cope with during the day but at night she doesn't feel able to handle them so she seeks out your protection. Hang in there - this will end if you hold your ground about the sleeping in your room thing and take the time to address some of her fears and insecurities. Every kid goes through something like this, you are not a bad parent and your kid is well adjusted - this is normal

Answer 2

Start taking things and activities away until she stops. Explain it two her. You already know it's just for attention so you've won part of the battle.

Sorry but lock the door. She is 6 and you will know if she is really sick or hurt. She is 6 and also capable of Knocking on a door or pounding on it in an emergency. Explain to her to only knock at night if it's an emergency other wise there will be punishment.

Do not take her back to bed, make her put herself back to to bed. Taking her back to bed and tucking her back in is attention.

Is there anything in your room that is dangerous to her? if so, you already have the perfect excuse and it should be locked.

If you think there is something else wrong then take her to the doctor.

Answer 3

Get a lock on the inside of your bedroom door just a simple latchhook nothing extreme. Try leaving a night light in her room on at night, put any stuffed animals or dolls into your child's bed. Leaving some soft music on low might help as well. I have 2 boys who did that to me for awhile till I got a lock on the door. Be firm and hang in there your child will soon get the picture.

Answer 4

reward he in the morning for staying in her room. My sister used a sticker chart for my nephew who was climbing into their bed at night. It takes some patience but it worked like a charm. Also, you need to address her fears. Just telling her it is okay doesn't seem to be cutting it. Make a story out of it and have her come up with her own solutions for getting rid of those big, bad bears. You'd be surprised what a little self-confidence will do.
Threats and yelling do not work - that will only undermine her confidence in you to protect her.

Answer 5

Put some baking soda in a pouch and take her with you from room to room in the house sprinkling it on the floor and tell her it's bear repellent. Let her know that it's really strong and no bear will come near the house because of its power. Just an idea.

Answer 6

There are several children's books that talk about "The Worry Tree" (and by the way this doesn't just work for children, my mom taught me about the worry tree when I was pretty young-I'm 25 and still use this to go to sleep). Basically you walk through this process with your child while he/she is going to sleep of putting all of his/her fears or worries on this tree and in the morning those troubles are still there but they don't seem as bad as they did while trying to go to sleep. I know this probably sounds like some guru-bob bullshit but it really works. Like I said, if I'm having trouble going to sleep because I'm preoccupied about work or an argument I had or whatever it is, I walk myself through this process of visualizing my problems and I put them on my worry tree. This will not only help your child go to sleep and stay asleep but is also a great chance to bond and spend some time with your child. Give it a shot, if it works you're stoked, if it doesn't I don't know what to tell you, I say just lock the kid in her room with a piece of bread and a glass of water and tell her to get over it.

Answer 7

You are right, you cannot give in and let her sleep with you. It may take a week and it may take 3 months but you have to stick to your guns and let her figure it out. Until then, let her know that she is free to be awake at night but that you and your wife need your rest and you will not let her disturb your sleep anymore. Refusal to answer her in the night may be the next best option - play like you are asleep and ignore her pleas as hard as it may be. I am a mother of 2 and a child care giver. I hope this works!

Answer 8

If she's afraid of bears or monsters get her a " Magic wand" a little light up wand that she can use if she gets frightened. The great thing about 6 year olds, they have great imaginations, use it to your advantage. Give her her special Magic Wand and tell her she can use it however she wants. it's magic! It can do anything. Good Luck, we've all had some sort of bedtime issues and your're headed the right direction, you won't let he climb into bed with you.

Answer 9

first, tell her that the bears is hiding in ur room if she ask why they dont harm or attack u , answer because bears only attack scared people .
second , bring for her a brave child boy or girl close to her age children always love to take off or ape each other and have great ability to persuade each other. the child will tell her there is no monsters at all , he/she sleeps alone without his parents and any that u find it encouraging , helpful
anything which u want her to know or make tell that through the child .
make her love bears bring her bear toy , say that it will take them away of u
prevent her seeing anything scaring (TV)
make her love her room ,hate urs
last, bring any of her relative of her age to sleep with her
Hope I help . for misunderstanding email me .

Answer 10

start a bedtime bear check with a super strong bear thumping stick hunt for em all over the place.. make her giggle looking in places there ovbiously woldn be a bear.. like lifting her up and checking the spot she was sitting in .. get a night light or give her a flash light.. telling her how it was bear repellant. then of cours get her a new teddy bear but before you actually hand it over.. "tell" the new bear its job is to protect your special lil girl form other mean nasty bears.. but for thenights its gets too un"bear"able (heh sorry ihad to ) keep your door closed (prbabaly locked) but allow her to make a little bear proof blanket fort out of couch cusions in front of or beside your door. ( not in your room ) youmay wake up to a lil girl sleepin under things at your door ithemonring but she wont sleep in the same bed either