How do you get a 4 yr old 2 sleep in their own bed, when suddenly they want 2 sleep with you.?

Question

My 4 yr old does not want to sleep in her bed. Once in a blue moon she will if I lay there with her until she falls asleep. Otherwise she wants to sleep in my bed. I feel like I have tried everything but sometimes when I am so tired I just give in and let her sleep with me. Any advise on how to get her in her own bed that is fast and affective?

Answer 1

Take off the top bedding on your bed and the pillow she uses and put in her room cause it will smell and feel better. Also you can run a white noise in her room to help her sleep deeper. Letting your child sleep with you is not giving in, it isn't a battle. It is just a fact she is more comfy there then her bed, she would prefer to be with you and that is a not an awful thing. You just need to set up a new bedtime routine and make it be in her room.

Lay down with her to read her a couple picture books, crank the white noise, dim the lights and let her have your bankets in her room. Do the same steps every night so she gets used to it, if in the middle of the night she travels to your room, don't give up. For as long as she had had this habit, it will take her time to relearn the new one.
The mark of a good parent is not by how convenient you can make raising them.

Answer 2

You have to set the ground rules. If she cries make sure she knows that you are always there when she needs you, but she must stay in her own bed.
She needs to learn her independence, if you lay with her your showing her that she needs you to sleep and she will be less likely to feel like she can do it.
Try setting up a routine for bed and following through every night... such as brush teeth and read 2 books and then light out (or night light on).... if she screams reassure her and then leave her to fall asleep by herself.
Good Luck... Easier said than done!

Answer 3

I had to laugh when I saw your question because I went to idiodic legnths to get my one then 3 year old twin son to sleep in his own bed or rather crib at that time. I tried a new toddler bed that he helped pick out, when that didn't work I put him in his twin brothers room in separate cribs then together in a queen size bed (big mistake). When that didn't work he went back in his own room in a full size bed which he is still in today though he still wants to come into my bed sometimes in the middle of the night but he is much more agreeable now when I tell him he must go back to his own room. I guess what I am trying to get at is that you can spend a riduculous amount of money, spend months trying different things but in the end it may just take time. I hope this was of some help, if not I am sure you must have gotten a laugh out of my story atleast. Good luck

Answer 4

As a father of three, I have been down this road many times and have suffered through many sleepless nights because I was too soft on this situation. First off you are the parent, and kids are great manipulators so you have to do things that may seem mean and insensitive but are for the greater good. First thing is make them sleep in their own bed even if you have to camp out in their bed or around it for a few minutes. Kids need the time with you and if you don't give it they will make you give it anyways. I normally said that I could lay down with them for a while but they couldn't sleep in my bed with me. Secondly the two year and the four year old are competing for attention if one sleeps in ther parents bed than they all want to. Lastly be firm, your bed is off limits at night, kids will push you as far as they can and if you give in it will take much more time to break the habit of sleeping with mom and dad. Kids need to know who runs the house and even as much of a pain in the butt it can be you need to get up and take them back to bed if not you will be sleeping with a 12 year old in your bed.

Answer 5

Well cloneing won't work. So my idea is to just sing her to sleep. Have a bad singing voice? Just play soft, calming music until she goes to sleep. I always slept with my mom at age 2 but now I've stopped cause I'm an adult and I don't need to do that anymore. So that's what I did. I played soft, calming music until I would go to sleep. It's just that easy! Hold her lightly so she can't move. Also, try to avoid the rock and roll music. Try to find some lullibys on a CD. Bring the cassette into her room and put it on a low volume. Watch her until she goes to sleep. If you fall asleep, she'll probably wake you up.

Answer 6

aww...you're so lucky! I can't wait for my 18 month old child to be 4 years old and want to sleep in my bed with me. We'll cuddle, snuggle, and just relax together. We could read before our bed time together. There are so many advantages you have for having a child sleep in the same bed with you. Instead, my baby sleeps in the crib all by his lonesome self. You're very lucky.

Answer 7

is there a reason why she comes into your bed? is she cold, afraid or just lonely? i would get her to help you redecorate her room with lots of fairies and pink flowers and girlie stuff .give her some warm milk before she goes to bed and also a warm bath .as she is four i recommend that she doesn't have an afternoon sleep as that will make her lie awake for hours at her age . outdoor play during the day and no stimulation just before bedtime

Answer 8

When it is time for bed, take her to her room, lay with her a read a book with her. After the book, if your religious say prayers and re-assure them that you love them and wish them a peaceful night. It helps they have a stuffed animal to sleep with, night lite and door cracked for comfort. I used to do this with my daughter also. I used to listen to soft music with her too with the lights out.

Answer 9

I feel your pain, I have a 4 yr old son the same way. I will keep an eye on here to see any good sugestions.

Answer 10

I think the child is frightened or insecure and needs to be with you to abate her fear. Perhaps if you left soft music on in her bedroom she might feel safer and more comfortable or else tape some stories for her and leave them on for her to listen to before she falls asleep. she then on only hears your voice which will comfort her but also hear a story to take her mind away from her fear.