Kids won't stay in bed?

Question

My six year old and four year old get out of bed several nights a week and raid the kitchen. I'm all out of ideas on how to handle this. Baby gates won't work, they climb like monkeys. I've taken away privileges and toys. I've taken away TV and Nintendo. I make sure they are fed and full before they go to bed and still they get up. I put a monitor in their room so I'll hear them get up, but they're so sneaky and quiet, I've yet to hear them. HELP!!! The only idea I have left is to tie cowbells to them... :)

I'd appreciate answers here, not judgements. I won't be doing any homework any time soon thank you. Mean spirited people can go preach somewhere else.

Answer 1

that is a tough problem that i can relate to. and some of these answers are just stupid! We actually locked our refridgerater with special locks that you can get at any department store. And the answer about sitting outside of their room is what i would suggest. We have done that before and worked for a while (like 2 weeks) then we have to do it again ...our 4 year old is very strong willed. But it is the best solution that we have come up with that works for the longest period of time. So i totally feel your pain and these other idiots that think you are a bad parent can go to hell!!! They will never understand it until they go through it themselves. It is easy to jugde someone on something they know nothing about. Good luck to you and i hope everyone's answers were helpful. (except from the clueless of course) Hee hee

Answer 2

Most of these answers are SO ridiculous.. obviously people without children who have a mind of their own..
This will NOT be an easy fix for you.. but it is possible. One answerer said something about sitting outside their door.. that is a great start. You may actually have to stay up all night a couple of times. but sit there.. pull up your lazy boy.. be comfy.. whatever you have to do.. but sit there. every time they come out.. pick them up and put them right back in bed.. pull up the covers.. and leave the room. EVERY time they come out.. you do the same thing.. you don't say a word.. and you certainly DON'T spank them.. there is no need for hitting a child. This process could take one night.. two.. or a week.. who knows. but they WILL get the message and eventually will stay in bed. Can you lock the kitchen door? That might be a good thing as well in case you fall asleep and the little rascals get past you. get motion sensors and place them at the kids bedroom door.. every time they come out, the lights come on.. maybe even an alarm.. that would assure they couldn't sneak past..
The point here is, however, you MUST be consistent and persistent. YOU have to teach them what is acceptable and what is not.. You obviously care or you wouldn't be asking the question. Many times, it seems that the children hold all the cards.. but the truth is, they do want structure and they DO want discipline in their lives.. and they want love above all else..
Don't make bedtime a trauma by adding punishment to the problem.. simply be persistent and consistent, as I stated, and put them back in their beds EVERY TIME they get up.. good luck to you.. it will all be worth it..for all of you.

Answer 3

best I can come up with is
1. A lock on your fridge and cupboards
2. Tie some rope on the door handle and attach it too another door so that the kids bedroom door can only be opened about 10cm. Enough for them to call out...not enough to shove the other ones head in. Explain the rope will go when they are responsible enough to trust they won't get out of bed. Only thing is you will have to get up to untie when they need to go to the toilet (No i didn't do this but I knew a family who did as the 2 year old would wonder and they were scared she would get hurt in the night)

Answer 4

This is a hard one. I had a problem with my son getting out of bed and coming into our room at night in the middle of the night. I told his doctor about this because we have stairs in our house and I didn't want him falling down them. My doctor suggested put a lock on the outside of the door or taking the door knob of the inside of the door. Now some will say you can't do this because how about a fire. We have a fire alarms all through out the house so what parent wouldn't go to their childs room and get them if there was a fire. This worked for me and after time I didn't have to lock the door any more.

Answer 5

Have you tried putting a fridge lock and cabinet locks on? Once they're bored they'll stop. OR the other alternative is to purchase a small fridge and place it in their room with their "snacks" and some cold bottles of juice or water. Thats what we do, but don't put sweets in there try instead fruit or veggie sticks so that they aren't "energized". Their going to get a little energy anyway but at least you know their safe and won't have access to knives and such.

Answer 6

cow bells might just work! lol, seriously, what are the food items they are getting up for? if the items are 'good for them' ie fruit or stuff, then let them know that if they stay in bed they can have this stuff for breakfast in the morning and that you will add in an extra treat for waiting.If on the other hand its stuff like chocolate or other bad things, then stop buying them - and put a small bolt high up on the kitchen door to stop them getting in!! Also, you could tell the 6 year old that as he/she is oldest, they are in charge ofthe bedroom, and nobody gets to leave while they are in charge, andoffer a small reward for doing this 'duty' (Im thinking the 6 yr old is possibly the instigator and a reward might work)

Answer 7

Sounds like a spanking is in order. It's not abuse and this is just another GREAT example why spanking is the only punishment that works. They don't seem to care when you take things away, etc. You need to leave the monitors in their room and when you hear them get up then meet them in the kitchen, spank them, send them off to bed, and tell them that you mean it and if they do get out of bed again they will be spanked again.
Also, another thing you could try is to sit outside their door after you put them to bed. Put them to bed then go into your room yourself and a few minutes later sneak back to their rooms and sit out side the door with a book or something. Then when they wake up and try to sneak out you can just be sitting there and be like "Where ya goin'?" Just an idea, but really it sounds like they are running the household and they need to be spanked. Trust me.


"Spare the rod, spoil the child."

Answer 8

You are on the right track with the cow bell idea. Tie a cow bell to their bedroom door. Or tie one to the refridgerator door. You need to sit down and tell them both that what they are doing is unacceptable behavior. Especially the 6 year old. Most likely, the 4 year old is only following him.

Answer 9

Dont put cowbells on them because they can get hurt while they are sleeping. Since they are so young maybe you could sleep with them until they fall asleep.Maybe they arent getting enough exersice during the day. You should try getting them involved in something so they will be tired at night. If they are tired from school dont let them go to sleep in the afternoon because its hard to go to sleep at night.

Answer 10

Its sad to say but maybe you should put t lock on the refrige in the night explain to them why and hope that it works. ALso try keeping them real busy during the day. If they take a nap try not letting them take one. By the end of the day they should be played out,lol I hope......good luck :-)