Three in a bed

[bennie]

My sister's daughter is now four years old and still continues to go into their bed at night - generally same time during the night.

Any suggestions to overcome this as Mum & Dad do not get a good nights sleep.

They could try a star chart with something nice as a reward when she manages a full week perhaps. Or they could just be strongwilled, tell her that enough is enough and continue to put her back in her own bed everytime she comes in to theirs. There was something on another thread about a character clock that you can set to open its eyes at a specific time and that is when the child is allowed to come into the parents room. It all depends how strong the parents are and how much they want it to work, they must stick to their guns if they want their bed to themselves again.

Bennie, agree with PamT. IMO they should be firm, explain the new rule to her and give her an incentive to stick to it (I also had a disincentive if my ds didn't and I always followed through). Also agree they will have to keep on putting her back as many times as it takes until she gets the message!

My ds is nearly 5, and until recently always came into our bed for a cuddle with his Mum as soon as he woke up. Recently he has stopped wanting to do this, he gets up, goes for a wee, then goes back to his own bed. I can't help feeling really sad about this, although I know it's just that he's growing up - but it really brings home that he's not my baby any more .

Luckily his younger sister still wants to come in, even if it often is at 5.30a.m.