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How do i get my 2.5 year old to stay in bed

3 replies

copperfieldcanary · 16/08/2006 15:10

The only leverage i have is to threaten to shut the door if he gets out of bed. He will run back into bed but get right back out as soon as i leave. He plays quietly with his toys in teh near dark (with a nightlight). I must be up and down the stairs 30 times before he collapses, shutting the door, bringing him snack foods because he says he is hungry, kissing his knee, elbow and so on. Any tips?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
fisil · 16/08/2006 15:13

Bribery - he is old enough for a star chart.

Anchovy · 16/08/2006 15:22

I have to say if I thought DH would bring me snacks during the night I would be asking for them! Categorically once teeth have been cleaned there is no nourishment other than water. There are not huge amounts of toys in their rooms either - a few toys and some books.

I think you just have to get really strict about this - not shouty strict but "I mean business" strict. I am very restrictive on how often I go up, mainly because our house is on three floors and the DCs on the top floor and with two of them I would be up and down all evening if they thought they could get away with it.

DD - 2.10 - moved into a bed at the weekend: it was fairly successful, although there has been quite a bit of thudding and scurrying, which I have mainly turned a deaf ear to. I did go up last night after a particularly loud one, crouched down by the bed and said - very seriously, no shouting - "If I hear you out of bed one more time I will bring the travel cot up and put you in it". As this would cause quite a large loss of face for DD - who is very in love with her new status as a "big girl who sleeps in a bed" it really did the trick.

nannynick · 16/08/2006 15:43

Agree with Anchovy, you need to be firm.

Bedtime is bedtime, it is not time for debates, time to eat dinner which they didn't finish earlier etc.

If they really can't sleep, then playing with a toy could be accepted, subject to them staying in bed... thus teddies/dolls are often best, though I know some boys who take a Thomas The Tank Engine train.

If your child is inclined to pester for a drink, then before leaving them to go to sleep, make sure they have a drink of water on their bedside table... suggest a non-spil cup.

Some children like to have a reassuring light on somewhere. Typically in that case, I would leave the door open or partly open, and have a bathroom light on.

To change the habbits of a persistant get-out-of-bedder, you need to remain within close approximity, so that you can return them to bed the instant they get out. At first, I'd suggest sitting just outside their bedroom door, out of view. Then as they get used to the idea, progress down the stairs, a few steps per night. It may take a week or so, to get all the way down, but when you do... problem solved.

Have a good bedtime routine, so there is a clear lead-up to bedtime. This would typically be toilet, teeth, choosing bedtime story/stories. Read bedtime stories - with child in their bed if possible, so once finished you can kiss them goodnight, turn out the light, and leave their room.

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