How to Encourage Your Child to Sleep in His or Her Own Bed Walnut Creek CA

Steps

1. Mark on the calendar when the "big day" will be, about a week after you decide your child is too big for your bed is a good time period.
2. Have your child mark off days in the calendar as the "big day approaches.
3. During this time, get your child excited about sleeping in his or her own bed ahead of time. To do this, say things like "Wow! you're getting to be such a big boy (girl), I'll bet you need to stretch out in your own bed to sleep!"
4. Purchase a toy that is ONLY for sleeping with and ONLY for his/her bed. Letting the child help you pick out the special toy will make matters easier for you in this department.
5. Discuss the time when you had to make the change from your Mommy and Daddy's bed to your own bed.
6. Read books to your child about growing up, this will help him/her discuss any fears he/she may be having.
7. Prepare your child on the "big day" by having extra cuddle time before bed, reminding him or her about the stuffed animal that will be lonely without him/her to sleep with.
8. Sit with your child on his/her bed for a limited time, just long enough to read a short story or two.
9. Tuck him/her in, if he/she wants you to kiss the stuffed animal good night, find a non-furry spot unless you want to be spitting out fake hair all night.
10. Turn on the nightlight and/or leave open the door a crack, whichever one makes your child more comfortable.
11. Tuck your child back into bed, gently but firmly each and every time he or she gets out of bed.
12. Repeat #11 as often as it takes.
13. Go to sleep yourself, you'll need it by now.

Tips

• The special toy doesn't have to be expensive. A used one from Goodwill makes a child just as happy as one from an upscale department store.
• You can also purchase special bedding, but without the stuffed animal it won't work as well. However, it does give you an extra tool to assure your child is excited about sleeping in his/her own bed.
• Monsters under the bed or in the closet? Try this quick tip: make up a "rule" about what you "know" about monsters. For example, "Monsters are highly allergic to all types of blankets, so make sure you keep yourself tucked in, and that way they won't come near you." Use an authoritative voice and try not to smile and it'll work like a charm.

Warnings

• If the child does not have a regular bedtime routine, establish that first or these tips won't work.
• The final steps of this how-to make take several nights, however, you'll find that if you're consistant, your child is getting up less and less frequently each night until he/she understands the new rule is there to stay.
• It may be tempting, but do not give in to demands for food, water, etc. at this point. Bedtime is bedtime.
• Nightmares happen, and if your child has been sleeping in his own bed for a few hours already, feel free to let him/her sleep with you. Just make sure he/she starts the night in his/her own bed.
• If nightmares are frequent (occuring almost nightly for a period of about a month), contact your child's pediatrician. Your child may have issues that need discussing with a professional counselor.

Things You'll Need

• Calendar and a pen to write on it with
• Special toy, preferably handpicked by your child
• Books about growing up
• Patience and consistancy

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