How do I get my six year old to sleep in her own bed?

Question

She has slept with my husband and I on and off since she was a baby. My husband and I became divorced over a year ago and she still sleeps with me. I know it's my fault because I wanted her there with me so I never made her go to her own bed. Now, I've started a serious relationship and need my bed to myself and my other. What's the easiest way to go about breaking this and making her sleep in her own room?

We are engaged to be married.

Answer 1

consistancy. when it's bed time, direct her to her own room. she will get up. i guarentee it. but the first time she does, just redirect her to her own room and tell her good night. this will go on for an hour at most... two in the worst cases. after the first time of redirecting, don't say anything. just take her to her room and put her to bed. it took me almost 20 times in an hour on one night to get my son to start sleeping in his own bed. so i think you can do it too.

Answer 2

Start a bedtime routine with her that you stick to each night. Explain it to her ahead of time that it is time for her to sleep in her own bed and what the routine will be. For instance bathtime, snack, playing a game, reading, whatever works for you. Then have her use the bathroom and brush her teeth etc. and say her good nights to pets and whoever else may be there. Then you take her to her room and tuck her in bed- no t.v. (that's another bad habit I just broke with my 4 yr old). My daughter does well with music. She will probably get up the fist night or two and you have to be committed and prepared to keep tucking her in bed. Also, we used a reward chart when breaking the tv habit. THis may be helpful for you as well. You can make the chart together so she feels a part of it and is more understanding of the reasons and positive outcomes. Tell her she gets a sticker (or a star, smily face, etc.) for each night she stays in her own room. Let her put the sticker on the chart the next morning. Have a prize or reward selected for her to receive after a certain amount of stars. We started out slow (3 nights) and increased the amount from there- so she would feel the positive effects quickly. I praised her each morning when I woke her up and told her how proud I was of her and really made a big deal about it. I only had to get two prizes for her and now she just goes to bed without any problems and sleeps fine- no prizes needed. by the way, I thought removing the tv at night would be a nightmare, so I put it off for a long time- she fussed about 45 minutes the 1st night and after that it's been a breeze!! My daughter is 4. Whatever you do, be consistent and follow through. There may still be nights she will crawl in bed in the middle of the night with you, that's normal. Good luck.

Answer 3

I broke my son of this when he was the same age. I put a cd player in his room. When he went to sleep, he would listen to stories on tape or soothing music. We made a big deal out of getting him his own cd player and having his own cd collection. We also use a night light. Also establish a bedtime routine with a story. If that fails, possibly offer an incentive. Maybe have her earn something that she wants after she starts sleeping in her bed for a certain amount of time. Good luck.

Answer 4

It's not going to be easy! I've been there before, my son sleep with me and when my husband and I got together he had to go to his own bed. It broke my heart because he cried and cried. This is what I did, I put him in his bed. He would get up the 1st time I would tell him he had to go to back to bed and take him back to bed, the 2nd time I would tell him you have to stay in bed and take him back to bed, and the 3rd time and there after I would not say anything to him I would just take him to his bed. The first night I know he got up a million times but after a couple hours he wear himself out and fell asleep. The next night I did the same thing and each night it took less time to get him to stay in bed. It took about a week and a half but after that I was able to take him to bed and tuck him in and he would stay there. Good Luck

Answer 5

Get out her favorite books mom, cause you'll be reading a plenty to her. Start reading every night in HER bed. It might take a half an hour, it might take an hour and a half. Start early and set a routine of getting pj's on, brushing teeth, picking out clothes for the next day, etc. Read to her every night, this will also instill good study and school habits. Make this YOUR time with her. Never did a little girl need her mommy more than before she drifts off to sleep. Try it and treasure your time with your little girl. Good Luck (it'll take a two + weeks for it to set in.)

Answer 6

Parenting in usa or in any other foreign country is so much different from INDIA , i can't believe that parents make their child sleep in different room from a very small age , i am a 20 year old but most oftem i am sleepin in my mum's bed , there's a very close bonding in INDIA b/w parents and children , even my big bro sometimes sleeps or all 3 of us on a single large bed , that's the closeness as a family , its great rather than sleep alone .

Answer 7

For the first few days, get a night light and some sort of pet or doll to comfort her. If she isn't convinced, then you should read her a book, with both of you inside her room. Wait till she is asleep. Go back to your room. Then you can tell her how brave she was from sleeping in her own room. It worked for many.

Answer 8

There isn't going to be an easy way now that you've set this precedent. And your timing couldn't be worse, since your child might easily think she's being rejected for your new friend.
So perhaps the thing to do is get in her in the habit of sleeping alone in her bed while you sleep alone in yours until she gets the hang of it. Be consistent and don't give in and make it clear that this is how its going to be. Good luck.

Answer 9

It's not going to be easy, there are going to be a lot of long nights ahead. First you start with a bedtime routine. CEASE all television viewing a half hour before bedtime. Start with a bath/shower, tooth brushing/flossing, brushing hair, putting on pjs, a story, maybe drink of water, a hug and kiss and then lights out (NO TELEVISIONS IN THE BEDROOM) Soft music can be played on the radio and I also suggest a pink night light (pink has been said to be a calming color). She is going to get up and try to come in to sleep with you...You get out of bed take her back to bed, a kiss and a cuddle, lights out and you leave the room again. She will again get out of bed, you take her back to her room, put her into bed (no kisses no cuddles), leave the room without saying a word. She will again get out of bed, you take her back to her room, put her into bed (no kisses no cuddles), leave the room without saying a word. She will again get out of bed, you take her back to her room, put her into bed (no kisses no cuddles), leave the room without saying a word. She will again get out of bed, you take her back to her room, put her into bed (no kisses no cuddles), leave the room without saying a word. And on and on until finally she is asleep...repeat the process the next night and the next and the next...good luck

Answer 10

DEAR

NO NO NO MY BROTHER HAS BEEN THROUGH 2 DIVORCE'S WITH TO KIDS BOTH BOYS RE MARRIED A THIRD TIME HE WAITED 3 WEEKS IN OVER HIS HEAD AGAIN ?

THIS A ONE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO TAKE THIS ONE YET ?

DATE FOR ONE YEAR PLEASE DEAR OK A CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THIS OK PLEASE USE YOUR BEST JUDGMENT LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP OK

PS I AM TELL YOU WHAT TO DO OK JUST BE CAREFUL I DO NOT WANT TO SEE YOU GET HURT AFTER JUST ONE YEAR OK.

TAKE CARE