Fabulous Ways to Reclaim Your Bed From Your Child!

When kids are small some parents may have the children sleep in the bed with them so they can watch over the child, comfort them when they have a bad dream or to just bond with them.  What parents may not realize is that the child will likely become dependent on this and will want to lay in bed with the parents all the time.  This in turn takes time away from the parents having their own time in their own bed.  Below are ways that you can transition your child to getting back to sleeping in their own bed.

Nip it in the Bud Before it Starts:  When you first bring your baby home get your baby use to sleeping alone in his or her crib/room alone.  If you wait until your child is able to walk into your room on his or her own then they will come in your room whenever they are ready and become dependent on sleeping with you. 

Slowly Change the Bedtime Routine:  Your child may already be use to sleeping with you and because of this you will need to make small steps to change this.  Your child may need to fall asleep with your presence so you may start by sitting on your child's bed until they fall asleep then sneak out of the room and go into your bedroom.  Gradually as days go on make your presence known but make your room stay shorter and shorter.

Be Positive About the Transition:  Use positive wording when trying to get your child back into sleeping in their own bed.  Say things like, "Your a big boy or girl and big boys and girls sleep in their own beds."  Say this in a cheerful voice as this is a positive reinforcement for the children.

Use Consistency:  Kids will give you those puppy dog eyes to get back into your bed but no matter what you have to stick to your guns.  Even if it's a situation where you have to get up for work in an hour, you must remember to stay consistent as it will pay off in the long run 

Outsmart Your Little One:  Buy one of those sensor lights and when your little ones feet get to walking the light will turn on and you know they are on their way to sneak in your bed.  This is when you will get up and have your child make a U Turn back to their bedroom.

Teach Your Child:  At times you can tell your child to stay in bed and just go to sleep but 9 times out of 10 it's just not that easy for them as they are so focused on sleeping with you.  Instead have them close their eyes and think of something fun.  Maybe having them think about being that princess or prince that they hear about from their favorite book.  This will occupy their mind and they will slowly start to fall back to sleep.

Remember ladies, consistency is the key.

Stay Fab!