I have been keeping my granddaughter, due to some health issues that her mom is having. She has been with us for several months. All of a sudden she is wanting to sleep with us. She has always had her own room, and never an issue.
My children never wanted to sleep with me, unless they were sick or had a nightmare. This is everynight, and after a week, becoming quite concerning. We have tried to talk to her, but she just says she can't be alone.
I am thinking that she is a little lost without her mom, and that is the reason.
Any suggestions?
2006-12-03 15:19:54 · 10 answers · asked by 2ndchhapteracts 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
oh, she is 4 and 1/2
2006-12-03 15:26:52 · update #1
Yes, it sounds that way. Mom usually is the most important person in a young child's life, (though not all obviously), mom is the strong foundation for a young child and when something is wrong, the child will act differently. In your case, your grandbaby wants to sleep with you for the security. Something you can try if you don't want her to sleep with you is maybe go into her room with her at bedtime, read her a story and lay with her until she is asleep, then carefully and quietly sneak out and back to your own room once she is sound asleep. Have you tried leaving the light on for her? That helps too to offer security. Maybe get a baby monitor and show her how it works and let her know that all she needs to do is call for you over the monitor and you'll be there. Those are a few ideas, if you really do not want her to sleep with you. But if you don't mind, then let her sleep with you and give her that extra sense of security she needs until she is back at home with mom once mom is doing better. The poor girl's whole world was turned upside down and she doesn't really know how to react to it. It's very normal for that to happen. So, just bear with her, continue to offer her lots of love and reassure her that she is safe and secure with you and soon she'll be doing ok and not wanting to sleep with you. I hope this helps some, my best wishes to you and your family. Take care.
2006-12-03 15:34:41 · answer #1 · answered by masmalan2004 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sure if mom has been sick and she is without her mom, she is lost. I would give her a lot of support. If it is just that she doesn't want to be alone right now, move her bed into your room and have her sleep in her own bed and then shortly latter move the bed back into her room and stay in there with her, then try the separate rooms again. She is probably also worried about losing her mom. Good luck.
2006-12-03 15:24:56 · answer #2 · answered by cheoli 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You didn't mention how old your grandchild is which might factor into the problem.
It sounds to me like your grandchild might possibly be realizing her own vulnerability( in life) and she needs the additional reassurance from you that not only is she going to be all right but her mom will too.
Wanting to sleep with you is for comfort and security so(the big bad boogie man of life) won't come and change anything more in her life. Children don't always let us know what goes on in those little heads
Try bringing her back to her room each time she comes to you. Tuck her in, reassure her all is well and stay with her until she falls asleep. Set the routine.
If she is still having trouble adjusting perhaps a counselor for children might be able help her allay her fears.
Good Luck and God Bless
2006-12-03 15:42:38 · answer #3 · answered by That_ blue_ eyed_ Irish_ lass 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Try laying with her until she falls asleep. Maybe take turns or switch out. Make it known that she just cannot sleep with you for lots of reasons. (grandpa rolls around too much or you snore really really loud or whatever)
You can also read to her until she falls asleep or talk to her.
My mother would sit by my bed when I was little until I went to sleep and if she got up in the night she would also sit there. I hardly ever woke and had her not be there. Most of the time, if I did wake, I did not wake enough to even know that she was not there.
Try this and good luck. I wish your daughter or daughter in law good health. Hope she will be okay.
2006-12-03 16:22:19 · answer #4 · answered by AveGirl 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
She probably is having a hard time without her mom.
I know my daughters would be lost without me.
My daughters have a room over at my parents house form when they stay there and they always end up sleeping with my mom. Its a comfort thing.
Maybe she is afraid that something is going to happen to you... and she feels she needs to stay close.
I'd just let her sleep with you, maybe when she gets compfortable enough that you'll be okay she'll go back to sleeping in her room.
2006-12-03 15:48:15 · answer #5 · answered by Trisha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel you, my son is the same way. I put him in his bed and next thing I know I wake up with him in my bed, he is also 41/2. I'm a single mom so I've always wondered if it was because of his dad leaving but I really think it is just a phase. After all I don't think there are any teens that sleep with there parents.
2006-12-03 15:33:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're right she probably is lost without her mom&feeling vulnerable at the moment, kids need lots of love&support so id let her continue until she feels better, it will pass just give her time
2006-12-03 15:29:51 · answer #7 · answered by NightOwl 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you go to her room and sleep there for 2-3 nights and try to find out why she can not be alon... may be there is something more behind it.
Good luck
2006-12-03 15:47:39 · answer #8 · answered by Me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's it exactly. It's that she's missing her mom. Try sitting with her in her own room until she falls asleep.
2006-12-03 15:28:02 · answer #9 · answered by Mrs. Strain 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
let her sleep with you.
have a big slumber party in her room (get an aerobed) until she can make it alone.
2006-12-03 15:22:57 · answer #10 · answered by Sooozy&Sanobey 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋