• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Is Your Child Fighting To Get Into Your Bed?

December 28, 2010 by PLAYTHISWAY Leave a Comment

What was that? Oh a small foot kicked me in the head! We’ve all been there- somehow, some way our already walking toddler or preschooler ends up in our adult bed. As a parents of two sets of twins, my husband and I have been through all permutations this issue and learned the hard way: (finally…) we only let our kids in the bed if they are (really) sick…which means temperature, vomiting, (aka- we’re not really sleeping, we’re all up anyway). Sometimes the little ones walk (or run!) in all by their own little self, and sometimes out of sheer exhaustion, we offer the invitation. Either way, there is a solution. It all comes down to that one little parenting word we all know deep inside, but may find challenging to stick to: CONSISTENCY.

Here are Dr. Jen’s Tips!

 

1. Pick a good day to start. This may be a challenging experience! Make sure to choose a day where you have the best chance at some rest the following day.

2. Explain What’s Going To Happen. Before the bedtime routine (we’ll get to that), make a point to sit down with your little one and say something like this: “Mommy (and Daddy) have our room and our bed, and you have your room and your bed. We love you and love being with you. But, we all need a good night of sleep in our own room- Mommy (and Daddy) in our room, and you in YOUR room. “

3. Pick a consistent bedtime. Try your best to pick a sensible bedtime- taking in account your family’s schedule and your child’s age. For example, choosing a 7pm bedtime (and missing seeing a working parent) vs. an 8pm bedtime (and saying goodnight) is not necessary. Do what works- but do it regularly.

4. Choose a routine with your child. Every family has their own unique night-time wind down. For our children, it was baths, a bit of horsing around (tickling, silly chasing, rolling on the floor) followed by more quiet play/reading and- always- snuggles. Let your child guide you into what he/she loves- and use those cues to design a routine that’s best! Try and do your routine in a room outside of the child’s bedroom.

5. Put you child to bed: AWAKE. This is a key point in sleep training. Keep time in the bedroom to a minimum. Tell your child, “We’re going to bed now! Mommy in my bed, and you in your bed! I love you. We’re done with snuggles & tuck-ins now and I’ll see you tomorrow!” A kiss, a hug, a tuck in and then- LEAVE. Use a small nightlight if this comforts you child.

6. Don’t give in! It is incredibly hard when you are totally exhausted, isn’t it? Commit to consistency. If/when you child comes into your room, WITHOUT TALKING, either guide him/her back to the room, or carry him/her back into bed.

7. Keep it going. If your child comes back again (now this is the hard part!) keep it up. Again, WITHOUT TALKING, either guide him/her back to the room, or carry him/her back into bed. No talking, no kisses, no snuggles. It’s not easy! But this is the key- our 7th tip is the lucky one! If you can do this you are golden!

8. Praise your child. No matter how brutal the night was for you, praise your child by saying something like, “I am proud of you for trying to sleep in your own bed and we’re going to do this together again tonight”. Have a special treat, do a fun dance or art project, and celebrate his/her accomplishment together!

9. Expect Crying! This is one of those “this too shall pass” phases in parenting- expect a crying as your child becomes more comfortable with self-soothing. Each day will get better.

10. Give Yourself A Break. We’ve all been there- we’ve all done that! Pat yourself on the back.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Parenting

About PLAYTHISWAY

Dr. Jen Canter, aka Dr. Jen® is a double board certified pediatrician, professor, researcher, published author, and, last but not least, mom to two sets of twins. In all her spare time, shes an entrepreneur! In 2008 she invented the U-Play Mat®, now licensed by Sassy Baby® for the mass-market baby toy category, and started a fun & cool adventure. Dr. Jen believes play can permeate every aspect of parenthood, from exercising and eating well to using love and laughter to raise happy, well-adjusted little people who can tackle anything life hands to them with creativity & self-assurance. Dr. Jen chronicles her journey as a professional and a mom, while at the same time sharing her hard-earned wisdom with warmth, wit and a healthy dose of humor. Because she understands the darker side of parenthood as one of a handful of Child Abuse Pediatricians nationwide, Dr. Jen is committed to leading a life filled with light & balance. Have a playdate with Dr. Jen by going to her website: www.playthisway.com Dr. Jen
Pediatrician, Mom of Two Sets of Twins
Inventor of the U-Play Mat
Website: www.playthisway.com
Twitter: @PLAYTHISWAY

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

20 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids

After seeing and holding the newest member of our family … [Read More...] about 20 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

How Does IVF Work

How Does IVF Work?

Male Fertility Tips

Academic Parental Pressure on Kids

The Effects of Academic Parental Pressure on Kids

What Happens When You Mix Lemon Juice With Baking Soda?

What Happens When You Mix Lemon Juice With Baking Soda?

When Can a Baby Hear in the Womb

When Can a Baby Hear in the Womb ?

How to Cook Beef Round Cubes in a Pan

Signs of Water Breaking in Pregnancy

Signs of Water Breaking in Pregnancy

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.