Sleeping in Odd Places

If my son asked for such accommodation,
I'd meet his request, J..

He might not be able to explain reasons,
but as long as he is SAFE where he sleeps, why not?

I vote FOR it.
have great dreams!
M.

My five year old daughter loves to sleep in different places. She really enjoys making little "beds" all over the house. I try to limit the special beds to play time or not school nights, but occasionally I'll find her asleep on the bathroom floor (not having made it back to bed after using the bathroom...).

Just a thought, if he is sleeping under things all the time, maybe he needs a more confinded space to help himself wind down and go to sleep. Maybe if you made him a tent on his bed, he would get that same sensation in his own bed. A heavy blanket may do the same thing for him. Just a thought.

My husband and I have occasion to play the game "Where's Lizzie". She is our active 3 1/2 year old who has more than once made us really search for where she finally fell asleep. We've found here under the baby's crib, under a pile of laundry in our bedroom, between the bypass doors of her closet (they weren't anchored at the bottom so they could swing apart a ways), I even found her once asleep on her floor by where the nightlight was plugged in with a large board book propped like a tent over her face where she had beenr eading it before she fell asleep! I have taken advantage of the chance to get good bribery pictures for her teenage years ;) We just take a picture and then put her back in her bed. She wakes up in a familiar atmosphere and learns that her bed is a good place to be, but we dont' have to force the issue. Just make sure you know where he is and that he is safe and accounted for before you check out for the night.

Hi J.,

I have an almost 4 year old who is doing the same thing. My older boys did it too. It was a game each night to go upstairs and see where we would find them sleeping. Sometimes under the desk or in the closet, at the end of our bed, or just next to their bed on the floor. My older boys now sleep in their beds so I am assuming my younger one will eventually too. Sometimes my husband moves him back to his bed (he doesn't always stay there). Anyway we let them sleep wherever as long as their sleeping and not crabby the next day we don't worry about where they are sleeping.

R.
SAHM of 4, 3 boys and a girl.

Oh yeah! We are there! My son doesn't want anything to do with his bed. He usually sleeps in the living room or in bed with me, when my hubby falls asleep on the couch. Sometimes he will be on the couch, or the chair, even the floor. I don't know he sleeps well so I'm not going to worry about it. I guess after I said something to my mom, she said I was probably the only kid she had actually sleep in their own bed every night. We used to find my siblings all over the house (but my sister walked in her sleep too)

Hello my name is P.,

We have the same problem with our 5yr. old triplets. I found that they will stay in bed 3-4 times a week if we go up and pray to God with them and we have also put a fan in their room on low for them. If your son is used to having noise around while he is sleeping you might want to try a fan or something else that will make a humming noise like that. I dont know your beliefs but I have found that asking God to take all bad dreams away and to "Let us have sweet dreams with Angels on our pillows" does work most of the time. You could try that.

When I was growing up my mom wondered why she bothered to buy us beds. My brothers and I would do anything to sleep in the same room. I remember one night I slept in their closet. Then when I was a little older and to big to go to my parents with a nightmare, I would go into one of my brothers' rooms. I also took my pillow and blanket with me. What I would do with your son is give him options of where he can sleep. That way if there is some kind of emergency you know where to look.

I do not have a 4 year old, but a 3 year old... he sleeps in places like under the table, under my infant's jumper, etc when he doesn't feel well. Like when he is coming down with a cold, before the obvious symptoms hit. It's really my only clue that he doesn't feel well because he doesn't ever slow down. Just a thought.

If he is getting a good nights sleep I wouldn't be too concerned. If it really bothers you (and not being able to find my son in the middle of the night would really bother me!) you could make a deal with him that he can sleep elsewhere every third or fourth night, but only if he stays in his bed on "bed nights." On his camping out nights, make a blanket fort or rearrange some of the furniture to make him a cozy little spot. That seems to be what he is craving.

And look at the bright side...your son isn't claustrophobic! :)

M.

This is going to sound CRAZY! But have you tried changing the position of his bed? Some people sleep better with the bed going north/south or east/west depending on how they sleep. I have no idea why but I have experienced this. Sometimes I have experienced periods of restlessness or wakefulness at night and we switched the direction of our bed and I slept so peacefully!
Also, it sounds like he preferrs smaller spaces. Have you tried a tent over his bed? Do they even make bed tents anymore? If not you could look into a canopy. If you are craft person( I am not) you could make a canopy using a boy themed fabric.
Just make sure you have 4 year old proof locks on your house!

I have this problem too, and my son Glenn is almost 12. His older brother Tim passed away from muscular distrophy 4 years ago (he would by 17 if he was still with us).

When the older son Tim stopped walking at age 9, it was easier to let him sleep on the couch than in his bed - we had bunk beds in the boys' room and it was difficult to navigate a wheelchair on the bedroom's shag carpet (it was there when we've moved in and we can't afford to replace it). Soon the younger son Glenn refused to sleep in the bedroom also; because Tim was afraid of the dark but would stay awake if it was totally light, we used colored light bulbs (blue, red, green, or purple) in a hanging light so it was dark enough to sleep but light enough not to be scary. At the time Tim started sleeping on the couch full-time, Glenn decided that the red light bulb currently in place made him think he was "sleeping with the devil" so he started sleeping on the other couch. We changed the light bulb color, but even then he prefered to be near his brother. When Tim passed away, Glenn had started sleeping in his room again part of the time, but promptly went back to sleeping on the couch because he liked it better, and still sleeps there more often than not (partly because he uses his bed as a dumping ground for the many belongings he refuses to put away).

As someone else said, hopefully he will grow out of this eventually and/or his wife will put a stop to it when he gets married. :)

I just read this to my husband and his first thought was that there seems to be pattern to your son's favorite sleeping places: each one has something over him, like a roof of sorts. Maybe it helps him to feel more secure to have something like that above him?
My husband said that he used to fall asleep under beds, too, but isn't sure why. It was a phase he grew out of. My little brother used to fall asleep in the toy box every night! It was very cute!! He, too, grew out of it, so I'm guessing that your son will, too.

Hi J.,

I have a 4 and 6 years old girls and they have been going through the same the last few months. I think is a matter of family priorities and limits. I pick my battles and I chose this won't be one of them. They like to sleep on the floor and sometimes even in the play room. I let them sleep on the floor as long as they go to bed without fights when is time. They love it and I don't think this can hurt them. I don't think I would let them sleep in odd laces like the kitchen or bathroom because of safety issues, but on the floor in their room is Ok for me. They probably will grow out of it and doesn't hurt anyone if they do. You can try at bed time letting him pick where he wants to sleep and if is acceptable for you he may stay all night there instead of making him go to his bed and then finding him in different places. The other thing could be if there is a possibility that he is sleep walking and not knowing where he ends. We found my daughter when she was four sleeping in the garage and it was a terrible experience for us.

Good luck

S.

I had several children who liked to sleep in our bed. Because I couldn't sleed and don't like to leave my bed I kept a sleeping bag under the edge of my bed. This so is now almost 22 years old. By the time he was 8 or 10 he finally slept in his own room. I believe some kids want to be the comfort for the rest of the family and they want to make sure were alright or they just like that comfort of having someone around. Sleeping under the tree, I hope you took a picture. How cute is that. He will grow up and you will still have the memories. Make sure your outside doors are locked put a chain high up on the top so he won't go outside. At least for your peace of mind. Good Luck.

Hi, this question sounded familiar, so I looked back at some recent postings. If you need some more responses there was a similar post on Jan 22nd, except the boy is one year older than yours. Check it out! S.

I am the mother of 6 children and we just finished last year a 4 bedroom addition so we now have 8 bedrooms the older 3 boys all have their own rooms we have one girl who has her own room and 2 boys 7 and 6 who have their own room. The 7 and six never want to sleep in thier room they always want to be with the other boys or on the couch. I was really frustrated that they wouln't sleep in their rooms but nothing worked. So now I let them sleep where they want to but I make them clean up their blankets first thing the next morning or help the older boys clean their rooms for staying. I know my older boys used to always sleep together but love having their own room now, but I still cath them sometimes sleeping on the floor of each others rooms. I figure its not the end of the world and if they clean up their messes so I don't have to we will be okay! M. H.
my kids ages are 17, 14, 12, 7, 6, 2 5 boys one girl

I will find my kids all over the house, up until a few years ago my oldest kids didn't even sleep in thier room they slept on my living room floor, so long as he is sleeping good I wouldn't worry to much, as a side note my 6 year old won't sleep in his bed either, he likes the floor, makes me wonder why I buy my kids beds before thier 10th B-day :).

We just passed a phase where my 2 year old wanted to sleep in my bed all the time. I know this is normal, but I figured he just didn't like to sleep alone. Maybe this is part of what is going on with your son? Sleeping under the crib and under his brother's bed means he's not alone. Also, sleeping on the floor and under a bed is a novelty. It's different and it's fun. Sleeping under the bed would also give a comfortable, safe feeling. Like being tucked in and hidden.
Sleeping under the Christmas tree is completely understandable. I love to sleep by the tree during Christmas.

You have to keep in mind that your are pregnant, too. Kids know something big is happening and they tend to do funny things to compensate. He seems old enough to understand that a baby is on the way so maybe he's feeling insecure and/or is looking for a little extra attention.

This is probably a phase, but if its driving you crazy try giving him one week. He can sleep where ever he wants for one week, but after that he needs to stay in his bed. Ikea has cool canopies you can put over a bed, but you would have to custom it yourself to make it fit his existing bed. You could also try buying bunk beds. It sounds like he'd love sleeping on the bottom bunk.

Good luck,
C. K

My daighter went through something similar. She was always wanting to sleep on the floor, and many times would move herself to the floor after we would put her to bed. She has bunk beds so our solution was to hang a blanket from the top bunk, making a tent effect for the bottom bunk. She loves sleeping in her "tent". Try making a tent in his room, or getting a little play tent to put in there for him. I guess since my daughter was comfortable on the floor we just left her there, with plenty of blankets. We also will let her sleep in her sleeping bag on the bed too for a little more "camping" effect. Do you think maybe he's sleepwalking?

My son is 9 years old and he still every single night sleeps in an odd spot. He starts out sleeping on top of the bed under his covers. But by morning you will find him shoved in between the mattress and the wall sleeping on top of the box spring. I have asked him why he does it but he doesn't even remember doing it. He just wakes up that way. But he says he is warm and comfortable and isn't bothered by it. So I just let him do it. If nothing else I am sure someday his wife will put a stop to it! LOL

I'm new here on this site, but wanted to address your issue! my sister's middle daughter (she has 3 girls) preferred to sleep on the floor in her mom's room, or in hallway, or last resort in her own room. She was four too. She did this for a couple months, and was sleeping just fine on the floor! They made her a little bedding area each night, and it worked. She is now 5+ and is sleeping in her bed next to her sister finally. It's just a phase for some kids I think. Your child seems a little more "unique" in his choices, but hey, all kids have their traits. As my mom says, he will grow up too--we all did. Good luck. -M.

J., My youngest who is now 15 slept everywhere. His favorite place was under beds. He out grew it eventually. Don't worry. It is just a phase. I still encouraged him to use the bed and put him there but he would wake up all over the place. We have six kids and he is the baby. A favorite position was on his knees at the side of the bed with his upper body on the bed. Crazy kids.

Hummm,

Four year olds are creative needless to say.
They speak mostly of their creative minds.
He is displaying what is on his mind by sleeping where he finds comfort. He is obviously needing comfort. Being near his brothers, even the Christmas Tree is him maybe telling you he is feeling alone/left out. Make him feel part of the family and possible give him a more inclusive role/relationship. Monsters are very real at this age to as well as needing love.
Good luck with the real mind of a four year old/heart

I believe sleeping is wierd places is normal. My son was a co-sleeper and only likes to sleep on the living room couch now, he's 2. My master suite is at one end of the living room, his on the other. My ten yr old daughter only likes her mattress on the floor.

I also have a nephew who is 12 that has loved to sleep on the floor for years. His mom gave and bought a fouton so he had something to hang with friends on that would convert to a bed if he ever wanted/needed it.

Best of luck. At least he sleeps! I'm sure one day he'll stay in his room, but may never be a bed sleeper. Try puting his mattress directly on the floor or ask him if he would like that.

Dear J.,
I laugh to remember how this used to happen quite a bit with one of my children in particular. But I have had children roll out of bed and stay asleep--on the floor, under the bed--or get up and sleep on the floor outside of our door or go sleep on the couch. I had one little daughter fall asleep sitting on the stairs (very cute!), and a 3 year old son fall asleep in the buff, holding on to his favorite toys. That was a surprise! Oh, if only we as adults could sleep as easily as children! Wouldn't it be a blessing?! I hope you write down the funny memories before they are gone...
Happy mothering,
L.

I wouldn't worry about it. I have a 3 year old who still does that from time to time and now she is self phasing herself out of it. As long as your child is getting enough sleep, I would not make too much of an issue of it. The only thing my husband and I do is praise her when she stays in her room (& her bed) all night long (even her 5 y.o. big brother compliments her).

J.:

My initial response was goint to be that this is just a phase and not to think anything of it. I have one son who always slept in his own bed (he is now 23 and on his own) and another who is 16 and still gets up on the rare occasion in the middle of the night to "sleep somewhere else".

But, when I read about your "angel in heaven", I can't help but wonder about the details of this event and how they may have affected your 4 year old. If this happened recently (within the last 1 1/2 years), don't assume that he is too young to be affected. His behavior is still nothing to worry too much about, but it should be accepted with extra love and understanding. Also, be careful about asking "what's wrong?". That suggests that something should be wrong. Just make yourself available and open for him to talk and eventually, he may share with you why he thinks he has trouble sleeping in his bed.

Yes! My daughter used to do the same thing when she was about 3 years old. I clearly remember beginning to almost panic some mornings when I literally couldn't find her. She was always okay though and its made for some really fun scrapbook pages to look back on. I started taking photos of all the places she ended up sleeping. We all get a good laugh now. I do think it's just a phase- and for us, no harm ever came of it. Each night we'd make sure she was safe and put her in her own bed and each morning we'd find her somewhere new. I don't think it lasted all that long and she has no sleep or emotional problems now! Hope that helps. I guess just try to make sure there are no dangerous places for him.

I don't know if this has anything to do with your son's desire to sleep somewhere other than his bed, but when I was a little girl I liked to sleep in weird ways or weird places. I would sleep on the floor, in my bed sideways, or in the closet. I had nothing against my bed, I just thought it was fun to sleep somewhere or someway else.