AIBU to do controlled crying with my 3.5 year old?

[Sleepdeprive]

Controlled crying as in I go in after 5 min, then 10, then 15 and so on.
At my wits end, have tried everything and it’s having a detrimental affect on my already poor mental health now.

Has anyone had any success with this with over 3’s?

I'd just say 'We'll hug in the morning, it's time to go to sleep now. I'm going to bed. Night night'.

This sounds like he is still being rewarded with hugs and attention. Think you need to do the supernanny no eye contact, no interaction/hugs, just "it's bedtime darling" and lead him straight back to bed every. time. he. gets. up.

Easier said than done I know! and you may have a tough few nights but it will be worth it. Hang in there.

Not sure this is helpful but just to say my three year old (was three in April) has never just got into his own bed and gone to sleep. He always falls asleep in our bed next to either me or my husband and I transfer him once fully asleep. It doesn’t take long. Sure I’d be flamed by a sleep consultant that he doesnt fall asleep where he wakes but this works for us atm, and he often sleeps through til morn. Not every night but he’s been an awful sleeper in the past so this is more than good enough for us.

He also has quite a significant speech delay (at least 12 months) so trying to reason/show tough love etc. can have very limited results in my experience.

Good luck OP, it can be so hard at bedtime.

How are you getting on @Sleepdeprive - are things any better?

@VodkaSlimline hi, things have being much better. I am sticking to my boundaries during the day time and on a night time I have bought him a night light and he has gone to sleep quite quickly without me needing to be in there, still woken up once in the night but gone straight back over

3.5!
Definitely do it.
The DC is old enough to be able to self settle.
Do it tonight.

@Sleepdeprive
I know this was a while ago but we are having the exact issue with our 2.5year old and im desperate to stop this, did you have success in the end?
xx

We recently tried it with our 3 year old 🙈 It wasn't great. He is far too stubborn. The thing that worked best was for him to share a bed with his brother on the weekends! They both enjoyed their sleepover and it got the little one used to sleeping through without needing one of the parents, which quite quickly lead to only needing to hold my hand to fall asleep, to not even needing that. Now he falls asleep on his own most nights, and also sleeps through most nights 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 If he wakes up he's easy to get back to sleep, the most effort ever required is to occasionally let him hold my hand again for a few minutes, but that's not necessary for the majority of the time.

Good luck, sleep deprivation is awful

Sorry only just realised someone revived an old thread 🤦🏻‍♀️