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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
Can not get 7 year old to sleep in own bed
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
Can not get 7 year old to sleep in own bed
by BrenBrensmom, Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
Our 7 yr old daughter has slept with us since she was born and are now trying to get her to sleep in her own bed. We have been trying for a year now. Rewards and bribes are not even working. She says she feels lonely. How do we help her to not feel lonely and get her to feel comfortable in her own room. The only time she sleeps in there all night is when one of us sleeps with her.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
, Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
Well, this likely will not be an atractive notion to her, no matter what you do. However, you can proceed nonetheless by remaining steadfast and setting a firm limit. If you wish, you can accomplish the goal in stages. First have her in her own bed and rest with her for a brief time for some days, then move to being seated next to her for a brief time, e.g. Establish a date by which she will be expected to fall asleep in her own bed by herself after the customary rountine of story, quiet time, etc. This can be regarded as an accomplishment, even having a little celebration - e.g., with a little cake to mark the occasion. The key will be for you to be resolute, even in the face of her opposition. Yes, it would be easier if she were more positive about it, but that's too much to expect.
I felt if he had his mother's smell with him, he would feel more like sleeping in his own bed. Plus I also took him to the store with me and he got to pick out a stuffed teddy bear which we called his sleep bear.
It took awhile, but I am happy to say that he is now sleeping in his own bed now.