Co Sleeping - Yuma,AZ

I have similar aged kids. One is 8, the other 3. Both of them have had problems sleeping in their own beds as well around the age of 3. With my oldest son, I started with a chart. When he slept in his own room the whole night, he would get to put a sticker on it. When he reached a certain #, he would get a small prize. Slowly, but surely it worked and soon he forgot about the chart and slept in his bed on his own accord. My youngest has also struggled, but I have really noticed that the more one-on-one quality time I spend with him putting him to bed, the better he does at night. Hope that helps some!

We had the same situation. First, I asked my daughter if she was ready to create her own PRINCESS BEDROOM. Then we took a few trips to ROSS and Target, and Penneys and put together the bedding that SHE picked out. After hours of non-princess like labor of putting together her room, I said that "I" could not wait to sleep in this new room. That pretty much did it. We played in the room during the day so that she could start getting used to it. When it was time for bed, I crawled into her bed, she thot that was silly cuz she was the princess, and I'm the princess's mommy. But, I told her that I wanted to hold her in her new Princess bed, and then I would go and check on her brother after I got my hug. I told her that I would be back in 5 minutes to check on her. And I did check on her in 5 minutes. It took several nights like that, but she finally got used to it. The important thing was that I kept checking on her when I said that I would. Oh, prior to getting her room ready, we would play in her room, and sometimes she would nap in there so that I could start the transition. So far so good...she's 11 now, and still loves her Princess room!!

First, try a cot/sleeping bag beside your bed. Then sleep with her in her room, in her bed if there's room. Next, sleep on the floor, next to her bed. Finally, wean the time you spend with her each night until she is fine with sleeping by herself. Read to her, make sure she has comforting things, and perhaps a nightlight.

Our son had a similar issue, he's 2, and he sleeps all by himself now after a good story and nighttime conversation.

Also, remind your daughter that she's a "big girl" and that she can sleep by herself, constantly and consistently.

It's tough, and it takes time, but it eventually works out!

Good luck

I have no advice, as I am not quite there yet, but I plan on buying this book to get helpful tips. I love this author!!

http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/books/0071444912.php

The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers

♦ Bedtime battles, dawdling, and evening melt-downs
♦ Night waking and early rising
♦ Moving out of the crib and into a big-kid bed
♦ Graduating from the family bed to independent sleep
♦ Ending the all-night breastfeeding routine
♦ Stopping nighttime visits to your bed
♦ Handling naptime problems
♦ Solving nightmares, separation anxiety and fears

Hi E.-
For the nine-year-old, purchase a night light; sit with him while he goes to sleep ( or lie down with him on his bed); have an unfailing bedtime ritual- wrestling match with Dad, bath, read a a story to him. No violent TV or videos. Regular meals without pop or junk food. Address any fears he has. Tell him he's a big boy, and that you love him. No remarks about sissys or other unnecessary complications. No disturbances of any kind after they're down for the night.

For the three- year old, begin with a mattress on the floor next to your bed. Use the bedtime ritual outlined above, but not at the same time, of course. Lie down on the matress or on you bed next to her. Don't allow loud noises in the house. Gradually move you both into her bedroom. If she's already on a different mattress, do the same as for the nine-year-old. It will be painful, and take a bit, but you should be able to do it with no problems.

Hope this helps- S.

We just recently transitioned our 21 month old to her own room and this is how we did it. We took down her crib and used a blow up mattress (one we normally use for guests) and put it on the floor in her room. We used similar bedsheets that we used on our bed at first. We did the whole nighttime routine in there adn also spent time playing on the mattress, which she thought was tons of fun. Then we bought a twin mattress and some cute personalized bedding for her and put in her room in place of the blow up mattress. We made it such a big deal that it was her bed! She was so proud and would love showing people her new bed. At first she would start out sleeping in her bed, but after a couple hours come join us in ours, which we allowed. Gradually she spent longer amounts of time in her bed and now she sleeps there all night most nights. It is great! Good luck!

I just transitioned my three-year old daughter to her own room and she loves it!! I took my time with it, and engaged my daughter in the process. First I cleared out the room that was to be hers, and then I suggested we move some of her toys in there so it could be a playroom. She loved the idea of having a "special" room all to herself. Gradually, we moved more of her things in there, and spent lots of time playing together in her new room. One day, I suggested moving her bed in there, so she could sleep in her special room. She got SO excited about it - we moved the bed together, and she took her first nap in the room by herself that day. She was a little anxious about being by herself, and so I spent more time with her around sleep, reading books and rocking her. All in all, it took about 6 weeks or so. I think the key was making the move gradually, giving her ample encouragement to become excited about it, and asking her every step of the way if she was ready for the next step. Yes, it took awhile, but was really painless. Good luck!

V.