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Ds2 gets into my bed every night and keeps me awake, and I don't have the energy to stop him.

6 replies

Coldtits · 08/02/2009 10:06

I am a single parent, so anything I have to do to stop this, I have to be able to do on my own.

Ds2 is 2.10, and gets into my bed every night at about midnight, then for the the next 6 hours boots me in the head, tries to sleep ON TOP of me (he's like a heat seeking missile), pokes me demanding drinks, Pingu, honey (made the mistake of doling out honey for a cough) and breakfast (at 3am).

I am TIRED. But he shares a room with his brother, and if I don't let him into my bed, he simply goes and does exactly the same thing to his brother, which really isn't fair (or safe, ds1 is a heavy sleeping 5 year old with asd and will simply push him out of the top bunk!)

What can I do? I'm really stuck with this one, ds1 never did this!

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GossipMonger · 08/02/2009 10:15

Either get into his bed when he gets into yours so at least you can sleep!

OR

Start with sticker charts and being a bit mean!

I did this with ds2 and it worked. He couldnt have treats like ds1 because he got out of his bed in the night. He soon got the gist of it and it took about a day and a half and he sleeps through now.

I would say things like,'Sorry ds2, you cannot have a Kinder Surprise Egg like DS1 is having because you get out of bed and keep Mummy awake!'

He would kick off about it but he did learn.

Sleep deprivation is the pits of hell and sometimes you need to be mean and hard to them.

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Coldtits · 08/02/2009 11:03

It's going to have to be the sticker charts and meanness then, because I can't bear the thought of an unattended 2 year old rioting in my room, and besides, he'd probably just come and hunt me down.

Bleeee. I hate sticker charts.

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Coldtits · 08/02/2009 12:03

Should the sticker be a good enough treat? How long will I have to do stickers for?

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GossipMonger · 08/02/2009 12:08

It shouldnt take too long tbh.

If he can get 7 stickers for 7 nights then he can have a treat - small toy, bar of choc

I loathe sticker charts too but if it works - fine

And praise DS1 a lot for sleeping in his own bed too so that DS2 can hear it! And tell DS1 he can have a special treat ie choc for doing so (making sure ds2 can hear) Tell ds2 he gets the same when he sleeps all night in his own bed!

Get tough - tis the only way.

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Coldtits · 08/02/2009 12:09

ah now.

Ds1 has ASD. If I introduce small treats for sleeping in his own bed, I will have to do it FOREVER.

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GossipMonger · 08/02/2009 15:57

OK forget treats for ds1. Just give him lots of praise and tell him what a good boy he is.

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