Hi everyone. Hope you all are well.
I have a 3.5 year old son who will not sleep in his own bed or even go to bed without me. I feel like I've tried everything to get him into his bed. He has his dinner, a bath and gets ready for bed the same way every night and then I try put him down in his bed and he will wait a few minutes and then sneak out. I send him back to bed every time. He will not stay in. I can't use a baby gate to keep him in his room as he can just open it. Eventually (after at least 3 hours, sometimes even longer) I'm too exhausted to fight him so I put him in my bed with me and he generally will go straight to sleep. I've tried doing his bed time routine and then putting him straight in my bed but he won't stay in my bed without me either. He will not sleep unless I'm in bed next to him. I've tried laying next to him until he falls asleep and then sneaking out but he wakes the second I get out of bed. He even wakes if I get up to use the toilet in the middle of the night. He was sleeping in his own bed all night with no issues for his dad when he stays there every second weekend but the last time he stayed he wouldn't go to bed without his dad either. His dad and I have a good relationship and we follow the exact same bed time routine. I'm so tired and I need my bed back. He keeps me awake all night with his tossing and turning. I just need 5 minutes of alone time a day. I don't know what else to do. I'm hoping someone here can help. Thanks in advance.
1 Replies
It's a long process but very doable.
Step 1. Put him in HIS bed with you. Do that until he goes to sleep without fuss.
Step 2. Put a mattress on HIS bedroom floor. Lie next to him until he goes to sleep and then move onto the mattress.
Don't let him in your bed ever, always go to his room.
Step 3. Once he is asleep go to your room to sleep, if he goes into your room go back to his room to sleep or snuggle until he is asleep.