Transitioning to Big Girl Bed

can you try putting her in her own bed in your room, for a start? that helped my little brother transition to his own room.

Maybe you can get some kind of screen to put in the room for when she shares with her brother. I shared with my close in age brother when we were little, we didnt care that one was a boy and the other a girl. When I was in high school and home for college breaks I shared with my way younger brother (I was 17 when he was born) and had no problems. I think your kids, for now, would be ok in the same room if she could sleep without the issues.

She probably needs to go to bed earlier than your 11 yo so why not just start a bedtime routine & get her in there to sleep (sharing the room) earlier than your older child?

You probably don't want to hear this, but just do it and don't feel badly about it! We just transitioned our little guy (soon-to-be 3) from his crib to a toddler bed without any issues by making it about "being a big boy" and letting him pick out new bedding. My mom suggested this method and it worked like a charm. We literally spent an hour in Target looking at bedding b/c he was so excited he simply couldn't choose!

As for the co-sleeping issue... 3 yrs old is far too old to be sleeping in your bed. This is wreaking havoc on your life and your relationship, so you need ot take a hard line here and not "baby step it".

1. Buy a toddler bed and pick out bedding
2. Put your toddler to bed starting at 7:30 by tucking her in with a kiss and letting her throw a fit. She will be upset and get out of her bed numerous times, but just keep putting her back in (without dialogue, just pick her up and put her back).
3. If your daughter is asleep by the time your son needs to go to bed, then great. If not, your son gets to sleep in your room until her "Cry It Out" period is over- or let him sleep on the couch and you two can read or go enjoy eachother in YOUR ROOM!

Seriously- she's running the show here and you both need to be the parents and put her in bed at a reasonable hour in her own bed. This has gone on way too long and the cuddling is about you needing it, not her. Find the "cuddles" and "treats" in intimacy with your spouse.

** They are still young enough that "gender" is only an issue if you make it one. As long as they have privacy when dressing and their own play areas in the house this isn't an excuse.**

If she doesn't have her own room, and the 11 year old does not want to share with her (which seems natural), I'd say you need to find a place for her to set up her own "room," even if it is not a real room. Partition off a corner of the living room with a privacy screen. Set up a toddler bed and call it her room.

Make a really big deal about how she's got her own room now, lucky her! Buy her some pretty new bedding and a new teddy bear to make it a treat, not a punishment, that's she's being kicked out of your bed.

If you have company come over, it's easy to fold up the screen and move the bed into your room. Of course, this will only work until she outgrows the toddler bed, but at least it buys you a couple of years.

If you want more ideas on how to get kids to sleep in their own beds, click on this article: http://www.examiner.com/parenting-issues-in-cleveland/tea...

Is there enough space in your room for a small bed, or even a twin mattress on the floor? This sometimes works well as a transition stage.