how to gel my children feel confident to stay in their own beds

[GeorgiaT2468]

It's a job at times to get my kids into bed. They aren't naughty but it's like they can't/won't acknowledge its bed time lol!

Iv tried everything but I end up either laying with them until they fall asleep or sitting in their room telling them time and time again it's bed time, go to sleep now please ect....

Then once they are asleep I then get on with jobs in the house ect.. Well that's if I don't fall asleep when I lay with them. When this happens I wake up in the middle of the night in a panic thinking at 04.00am all the jobs I didn't get done.. = tired mummy!!

When I get to bed after jobs I wake up to the kids in bed with me, bless them they are quite cosy and snug lol but still in my bed and I don't have an inch to move. I toss and turn and currently being 39 weeks pregnant it's now getting to me.

My DC are 5.5 and 2.5 years old. I need to get it sorted not just for me but for them too.. They appear to be anxious about sleeping without me or not having me in their room. I don't know why but there it is.

Anyone fancy sharing any strategies with me at all? Tired mummy in need. Also thinking when my new born is here and I'm sat up in the night breast feeding I can't juggle all 3 children at 04.00am lol help!!

Xx

[There]

from what you say about you/your kids, you sound like you would have the patience to fade yourself out of their room at bedtime, so start with cuddling in bed, then lying next to them, then sitting next to them holding their hand, then sitting next to them with no contact, then on a chair next to them, gradually move the chair further away from them toward the door, then gradually out of the room.

I had to do it with one of my kids, and I used to leave my shoes just showing in her bedroom, so she still thought I was there while I crept away.

[GeorgiaT2468]

Lol that's a great idea! Iv got the patience of a saint really lol so this could work for me.

What a clever little strategy!!

I will commence this tonight lol

Thank you xx

[SweetAdeline]

I bribed mine. "Stay in your own bed from bedtime to morning and you'll get x". Only did it for a few nights until they got used to it then stopped. Dd sticks to it religiously. She'll still call out if she has a nightmare but otherwise we don't hear from her 7-7. (PS our treat was only having her breakfast milk warm instead of cold but she is very easily pleased ).

I just remembered that we gave her a bedside lamp she could control herself which helped massively. She very rarely turns it on but I think she finds it reassuring that she can.

[GeorgiaT2468]

Another great idea.. Brilliant. Mine has a night light but to be honest it's so dull it doesn't make a difference much, anyhow I keep the bathroom light on so they can see.

Maybe a bedside lamp is better. I did but my eldest a glow in the dark cushion that you turn in and off.. But he does complain of having nightmares.. They consist of all sorts really.. Is this normal? Xx

[PenelopeChipShop]

I agree with the gradual withdrawal. I've only got one but he needed me to settle him and also co-slept on waking until almost 3, then if gradually stopped. I reduced what I was going to 'help' him go to sleep as described above, but even now I sit beside the bed and she lullabies until he's asleep, but I don't mind doing it as only takes 10 mins by that point and he sleeps all night (except illness/bad dreams) so it's fine.

Just wanted to give you hope that might not even have to get all the way out the room for them to sleep much better.