We're looking for suggestions on how to get our child to finally sleep in her own bed?

Question

Our daughter is 6.5 years old and has always slept with us. We are now trying to make her sleep in her own room, but we are having a lot of trouble. She screams for HOURS (3 or more) and then finally falls asleep. Then after about 2 hours, she will awake again- and start screaming. We have asked her what is wrong, but she continues to point to our room, and we do our best to explain she is a big girl now and needs to sleep in her won bed...but she screams and keeps us up all night and is not getting any sleep herself. We have tried buying her her own special bed, night lights, special "spongebob" pajamas, tv, everything we can think of.
Please help!

Answer 1

well this is going to be a hard transition, cause she's already 6 and a half years old, the best thing i can think of is stick to your resolve, explain to her that mommy and daddy love her, but she has to sleep in her own room, in her own bed now, put her to bed and let her cry if she wills it.
this might take several nights before she gets the idea that you won't be bending on this one, don't check on her, don't go comfort her, she has to understand that you mean what you say.

Answer 2

First, try to make her understand that mom and dad need quiet time and she helps the family out when she sleeps in her own bed. My husband also puts a bunch of stuffed animals on duty at the door every night to protect her. My daughter's room is actually attached to my room, so that might help a little because I leave my bedroom light on so she has some sort of light that signifies we are up while she is sleeping.

Answer 3

When my grandkids came over, and it got to be their bedtime, they didn't want to go in a separate room and sleep either, even though the two of them were together. They were younger than six, about 3 and 4 as I best remember, but someone had the idea to turn on the small oscillating fan in that bedroom, and they fell asleep almost instantly as their mom and dad sat quietly and patiently in the room with them. We made sure that the fan didn't blow on them directly, but they seemed to sure love that soft humming sound, and maybe even a gentle, indirect breeze in the room. They're several years older now, and they've had no problems ever since. God Bless you.

Answer 4

it appears you have answered you own question. you state that she's always slept in your room. 6 1/2 yrs is a long time to sleep with mom and dad. it's all she knows. this habit will most likely take some time to break. all you can do is keep at it. i'm not much for television referral but, that show super nanny deals alot with this matter. maybe try the website for more info.

Answer 5

I won't sugarcoat it because it's a simple answer. Resolve that she will sleep in her bed and stick to it.

Most parents help the children get past this minor problem around 1-2yrs. of age, you've waited to almost 7 so it's now major. The problem is not your daughter, it's the parents feeling way too guilty to take a stand on things.

Believe it or not, children respect parents who take a stand on what's right and they carry this into adulthood.

Answer 6

so far, you've rewarded her with a new bed, jammies, tv, etc for throwing temper tantrums and keeping you up all night.

no wonder she won't stay asleep. she's holding out for a corvette.

on 'supernanny,' jo suggests that you just keep putting her back into her bed, no matter how long she screams, no matter how often she wakes up. it'll take a few days of sleepless nights, but she'll learn.

and for crying out loud, stop rewarding naughty behavior!!!

Answer 7

We had to put our daughter in her own bed at two. Just had to listen to her holler. She's 31 now, and doing great!