How do you get a 3 yr old to stay in his own bed when he fights, screams and claws at you?

Question

this is not my child. Thank goodness. But a friends.

Answer 1

Cuddle him, tell him a story, and tickle him to make him feel comfortable.

Say his name firmly and repeatedly until he matches you in the eye, then smile, put him down, and distract him by talking about things completely unrelated to sleeping. Eventually he'll fall into a lull and fall asleep as long as you're there to the very end.

Answer 2

Well, I know how this is. I went through it myself with my son. Hopefully, what I did will help your friend.

When it is time for bed, tell the child the "rules" for bedtime.

1. Time for bed is: 7:30pm
2. Teeth should be brushed.
3. Water for night-time should be by bed.
4. Bathroom visit before bed.
5. No getting up after being tucked in.
6. Mommy/Daddy will not come back to the room after "goodnights" are said. (no matter what).

Now... it's up to the parents to follow through. If the child gets up, put the child back in bed. Tell the child he's loved but NOT to get up again. Leave. (Don't stay in the room).

If it happens again, repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Be strong. Don't give in.

If the child continues to scream, cry, claw... continue telling him to stay in his room. Don't let him run the night time routine. Be firm.

This process will probably continue for over an hour - maybe longer. Expect there to be alot of screaming and fighting. Hold the door shut if need be. The child will get tired and fall asleep. Its a matter of breaking his will. Don't let the child break yours...However, it is a MUST to keep cool and firm. Let the child know you love them, but you won't tolerate the behavior.

It is suprising how tough it is... I cried outside my son's room, cause I wanted to go in and comfort him. But each night it got better... within 3 nights he was sleeping the whole night in his room without troubles. It's so refreshing! But it takes alot of firm love to do it.

Encourage your friend to be strong. Children are smart... they'll go as far as we'll let them!

Answer 3

Be firm and put him in his bed - do not yell at him just stay calm and tell him what you expect from him. Reward him points or something and at the end of the week have him use those points for something that he wants. Don't worry about him getting attached to getting something at the end of the week. They forget very quickly and after a few weeks of doing it every night consistently he will just do what you expect of him.

Answer 4

Sometimes it's just easier (after a few attempts at getting him in his own bed) to either sleep in his room(leave once he's asleep) or move his bed into his parents(if it's a toddler bed easy to move and special situartion like fear of thunder,etc). I do not reccomend letting him sleep in mom and dad's bed...that's a hard habit to break once started.

Answer 5

As cruel as it sounds, hold the door closed, he will get tired eventually. He is only screaming clawing and fighting as his parent/s are giving in to him, he needs to be shown who is boss and quick or he will be running their life, or ruining it!

Answer 6

Buy a book about sleep issues written by an expert - try Kim West's book Good night, sleep tight. She knows more than most of us here.

Answer 7

my friend had that problem with his step son once. well, not getting him in bed, but keeping him in the bed. the kid would get up in the night and mess with things. he would put the kid to sleep and then wait outside his door. scared the crap out of the kid and he never got up again.

Answer 8

Remind me - who is the parent? I don't mean to sound cruel, and I know it's hard (I have a particularly difficult 3 year old) but you gotta just put your foot down! (or your friend does.)

Answer 9

Time out!! Get some Supernanny info online.

Answer 10

IGNORE the BAD behavior!
DO NOT give into his tantrums!
DEMAND calmly that he STAYS in his BED!
Sooner or later he will stay when put into bed!