I need help keeping my 4 year old in bed?

Question

My husband works swing shift and when he is home at night she never wants to get in bed with me. However he is on third shift this week and has snuck into my bed every night. Well last night she woke me up at 2:15 and cried and threw fits for 2 hours and refused to get in bed. I tried many times to put her back in bed and talk to her. She has no problem going to bed at bedtime just staying there all night. I asked her what was upsetting her and she said a couple different things like bad dreams or she heard a noise. Anyone have any ideas on keeping her in bed?

Sorry, to clarify she does sleep in her own bed.

Answer 1

Get a spray bottle with a little bit of water in it and "spray" for monsters. You can even leave it with her so if she wakes up and is scared she can spray again.

Answer 2

I have a 4 year old son who has this issue too. Consistency is the key. When she comes in your room, take her back. No talking, no lights, nothing. It will take alot of patience on your part and possibly a few nights of little sleep. It is worth it to have your her in her own bed though. Before bedtime I always make sure my son is really tired, has gone to potty and has a full tummy. We read a couple of stories in his bed to give snuggle time that all kids need. We then spray "Monster/Bad dream Spray" which is actually just Febreze with a label I made. This helps him feel secure. I let him spray it anywhere that is scary to him. In the closet, under the bed, on the curtians. This has REALLY helped. I also will promise that at the end of the week if he sleeps in his own bed every night we will do something special. We go to the zoo, the park, the ice cream shop or just to a friend's house. The reward method has worked better than the punishment method for my 4 year old. He still occasionally makes his way to my bed at night but it is really alot better than it used to be. He knows he will be taken back to bed everytime. He knows he is safe and that we love him. You can handle this, it is frustrating. It is almost easier to just let them get into bed with you so not to lose any sleep, keep in mind though -- once this is a habit-- it is hard to break. I know I don't want a 15 year old in the bed with me. I doubt you do either. Keep consistent and focused on your goal and make her proud of herself when she stays. Good luck!

Answer 3

I wouldn't suggest nyquil. Curious though, is she sleeping with you or in her own bed. In your question it isn't quite clear. If you want to help her sleep through the night, try putting a very small amount of salt (table salt) on her tongue and have her drink some water. I do this when my 16 month old has a hard time sleeping and it works pretty well. She would often wake up from naps and during the night screaming and crying hysterically. She can't communicate her emotions quite well yet so I've just been trying this. It's been working pretty well.

Answer 4

My daughter will be 4 in a few days and she recently started doing the same, when her dad leaves at 5:30 she gets in bed with me. Now she has always woke me in the night for more juice but she stayed in her bed, then she started sleeping on the floor instead of her bed and now she comes to my bed. I finally tried blowing up our air mattress that's a queen size and let her sleep on that, it has reduced her coming to my room, so maybe something wrong with your daughters mattress and that's why she wants to sleep in your bed. Hope that helps.

Answer 5

The problem is, you're talking to her in the middle of the night.

Every time she gets up, take her back to her bed without saying a word. Do it over and over and over if needed - she'll get the hint that waking up won't get any attention. Even if she's talking, crying, starting to argue, refuse to answer her. Just put her right back in bed.

Answer 6

Your son has some extreme subject concerns. they're going to should not be known notwithstanding you ought to post with. he's likewise having great venture at college and afraid to permit you comprehend. it may look that once your husband is living he feels elementary or a minimum of has a deep ought to thrill his father. My son moist the mattress each and every now and then while he was once 6 or 7. we would now no longer tell that there became any objective for it and it did no longer ensue on a common bases. even with the undeniable fact that we desperate to pass to a much better place of living in another a factor of city. all the bedrooms have been on the 2nd point. He gave the impact ecstatic with regard to the pass. very happy approximately it. And he never moist the mattress as quickly as extra. i think he had an apprehension or between the main babies on our block or could be some thing at instructions. with the aid of changing that it made the comprehensive distinction. It sounds to me like your son is depressed additionally. for this reason he's slumbering lots and now no longer desirous approximately notwithstanding. another risk is sleep-aptnia. If he's no longer respiration properly at night it is going to guard waking him up and he's going to now no longer get the sleep he desires. Have a healthcare expert confirm that out. Your husband and additionally you ought to set down with him sometime and in a non-threatening approach talk to him approximately this. If he can not open up have your husband talk to him on my own. And as quickly as extra if that doesn't artwork on my own with you. Ask him what's occurring. Is he terrified of notwithstanding. Is there some ingredient you are going to be able to do to help. ultimately you ought to get some good help for him. this ought to now no longer be happening to a 12 three hundred and sixty 5 days historical boy. i could difficulty if now no longer corrected it is going to appropriate worsen. remember even with the undeniable fact that that wetting the mattress is fairly no longer something he can consiously administration. you ought to objective to locate the authentic venture in the previous than this could ever pass away.

Answer 7

Does she have a little night light in her room? Maybe that would help. How about a stuffed animal to sleep with or a favorite blanket. Maybe a photo of you and dad beside her bed would help, or a child's tape player and a favorite music or story tape that she can listen to to help her fall back to sleep.

Answer 8

i recomend nyquil