Our daughter will be three in September. Generally she's a good sleeper, down at 7:15pm and most of the time sleeps through - often with me having to wake her as we leave for the childminder at 7am.
She was ill a few weeks back with a cough that lingered and since she has been a pain at night. The other night she was hysterical saying "I want to come in your bed". In the end we relented as we live in a flat and I am so aware of disturbing the neighbours.
Last night she woke just after 1am and I was in there for 30mins trying to settle her. Read a story, as soon as I stood to leave the room and a floorboard creaked, she's awake again, so I stood in the doorway for ages shushing her. Came back to my room and she starts again, so I snapped a bit. Didn't shout, but in a stern voice just said lay down, close your eyes and go to sleep... didn't hear a peep after that and she's still asleep now.
I really struggle to get back to sleep after being woken up and I'm finding work tough when I've had broken sleep. Don't want to get into a pattern of her coming in with us too often.
Any top tips? Is a bit of tough love the way forward? I feel so mean when I do it though.