5 year old won't lay down AT ALL

[lillysmom1008]

I have no problem being patient, consistent, and committing to staying the course for as long as it takes. But my 5 year old daughter simply will not stay in her bed. One horrible night she screamed and cried for hours and each time I put her back to bed she popped right back up anf followed me out of the room. Each time my patience wore thinner and this went on until 4 am. I had to lock my bedroom door finally at 3am to keep her form coming into my room. She was clearly as committed to coming into my room as I was to keeping her in her own. It was my most trying moment as a parent. Because I had to essentially lock her out of my room she sat at the door and screamed for a while and now she's scared to be alone. I have a very sweet AND strong-willed child. I want to nurture her but also be firm with this. Since then I lay down with her until she falls asleep in her bed and then she always ends up in mine a few hours later. It's such a delicate subject and I don't want her to be afraid so I feel stuck where we are. Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


This discussion is related to 5 year old won't sleep in own room.

[margypops]

Its a tough one but you have to do what you have been doing, dont lay on her bed at all, read her stories then say goodnight let her haave a hall light on and a door open if she doesnt like the dark, then go into your room, when she comes out do not yell at her simply and quietly take her back into her own room into bed keep doing that it will be tiring but if she knows you are not going to give way, she will eventually accept it. , Make sure she is tired enough when she goes to bed sometimes parents let even older children nap for hours during the day then wonder why they cant sleep at night, if she cannot sleep you could allow her to lay in her own bed a read for a while. If she gets mixed messages it will continue, I dont know any other way than consistancy,