DS 7 sneaking into my bed/sisters bed at night

[ChristyC]

My ds7 has always been a real comfort boy, sucks his thumb and always loves lots of cuddles - we are very lucky - a real heart on his sleeve type of chap. But from as soon as he could walk, he wanted in bed with us. When his sister came along and was old enough for her own bed, he would sneak in with her, but we managed to put a stop to that. Me and dh are going through a seperation at the mo, and so as dh is not in bed with me, ds will come to my bed late at night/early morning. I am a deep sleeper and don't hear him, so I wake up in the morning with him next to me. I think it must be slight insecurities, what with dh not being here, but would love advice as to how to stop this and keep him in his own bed.

Maybe ti would be better to let him take the comfort he gets from you, for the time being. Later, if things are less stressful, you could address this.

You could try a star chart, with stickers for nights he stays in his own bed, and a reward after so many consecutive stickers.

Thanks PrettyCandles, I may try the star chart although I'm really worried about turning it into an issue.

My children have always got into bed with us and as they get older it happens less and less. DS9 only comes in very very occasionally - if he is ill or has had a nightmare. He has weaned himself off it without any intervention from me - he used to arrive in with us every night.

I don't think it's an issue really - your ds won't still be coming in when he's 12! If it were me I would just let it happen - he'll stop when he's ready.

Good point amateurmum, after all, I can't really see him wanting to sleep in my bed when he reaches the 'whatever' stage! I'll just roll with it for now and see what happens. Thanks

They grow out of it eventually.

DD has always played musical beds - still will occasionally end up in our bed and she is 10!