Bedtime issues with a 3 year old

Air_Cooled_75

Our boy, exactly the same he just grew out of it too. The baby gate wasn't an option as he could open it. Unfortunately he's taken to waking up early again but at least the nights are interrupted, although some nights I didn't even notice him climbing in with us

pollyanna24

I have the same issue with my children.

At first, it was the younger one who used to climb into my bed, then it was the two of them. They worked out a way not to wake me!

Now it's just the older one who's 5 as the younger one tends to stay in her bed all night now.

I'm hoping the older one will grow out of it soon, but haven't actually done anything about it as I'm a single mum, it's a double bed, and so I don't actually lose any sleep over it.

pinkshoes

At least you don't wake up! My DS (3.5 years) has a groclock, and is told he must stay in bed until the sun is up, other wise no pudding or treats!

Works well! I wouldn't mind him sleeping in our bed, but I'm a very light sleeper so only get light sleep when he's next to me.

He enjoys reminding me that he stayed in his own bed all night so that makes him a big boy and he can choose his own treat!

meritaten

the baby gate worked - so why did you take it away? put it back and keep it there until you are sure she has stayed in her bed all night. and that could take months.

kat_lady

Try setting her a positive target - make a star sticker chart and say that for every night she sleeps in her own bed she can have a sticker. Then when she collects 5 stickers for example she can have a special treat. Eventually staying in her own bed will become a habit. It worked with my niece!

notanewuser

kat_lady wrote: »

Try setting her a positive target - make a star sticker chart and say that for every night she sleeps in her own bed she can have a sticker. Then when she collects 5 stickers for example she can have a special treat. Eventually staying in her own bed will become a habit. It worked with my niece!

Unless you believe sticker charts to be the work of the devil.

kafkathecat

DS did this. We let him. He grew out of it. It is only really a problem if you can't sleep with her there and even then you can just go and sleep in her bed.