getting toddler to sleep in own bed

[rickysue]

My 3 year old sleeps in my bed and does not want to sleep in her own room. She seems so scared and sad when I suggest it. Any tips on how to make the transition and minimize the trauma?

Thanks.

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Buy a pretty sleeping bag and lay it on the floor next to your bed.  Let her sleep only in that.  In a few weeks put it in her bedroom.

Worked great with my dd who is now 15.5, my 3 year old, he waits until we are asleep and sneaks in very quietly so he won't wake us.  I wake up in the morning and lo and behold he is there.

[blondie72]

You could try posting a bedtime chart - Put things on it like take a bath, have snack, brush teeth, read and cuddle, turn on nightlight, get into bed - Have her check off things as you do them or put stickers on and after she has enough stickers you can get her a treat or something (I don't really like bribery but sometimes you just gotta do it LOL)  you can also try "Get Out Of Bed Free" cards - Once she is in bed, if she gets up she has to give you a card if she runs out then she cannot get out of bed again (unless to go potty) - If all else fails and you REALLY want her out of your bed you can do the ol' Supernanny thing and just put her in her bed and if she gets up you just keep putting her in there til she stays.   If NOTHING works then why not just let her sleep in there - It won't last forever - Enjoy the cuddle time while you can    GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[momsi3]

That worked for me as well told my daughter it is ok to be scared but if you need to be close to mom and dad I'll make a bed next to us and you can ssleep there! She loved it and after a couple months she wanted her own bed! Hope my story helps!

[Jubalee79]

I have sort of a similar problem with my 5 year old stepdaughter.  At her mom's house she shares a room with her great-grandma, she has her own bed in that room, but sleeps in the bed with her great-grandma.  When she comes over here, we can't get her to sleep in her room, in her bed.  When we have her for the longer visits, we do make progress, but then she goes home and doesn't have to sleep in her own bed.  So, when she comes back she's back to wanting to sleep with us.  We just never can seem to get ahold of this issue.  Any advice??