ADVICE RATING |
  3.39 (May work) from 10 votes (693 Visits) |
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children who get out of bed at night |
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by libbylincoln  (September 2006) (rank 68th) |
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The last few nights have been awful. Joycelyn has been waking 2-4 times a night wanting to get up. When I reiterate that it's night time and that she woke me up and she has to got back to bed she throws a fit. I work full time
and really need my sleep. It's really taking a toll. Last night was the worst. Screaming and hyperventilating. In the end I did pick her up (thus letting her "win") as my husband tells me. I just don't know what to do about this. SHOULD I be worried?
She's 2 1/2 and is not teething anymore, so I know it's not that. I think that it's just a matter of trying to push her limits. I find myself getting mad now. I told her last night that She was going back to bed and that I was leaving. I also told her that she wasn't being nice or fair to everyone in the house. I don't even know if she understands the concept of fair at this age. 
Arrrrgggghhhh. This parenting thing is hard sometimes.
Any advice would be welcome. I feel like such a meanie at times.
ok my advice is this :
there is a couple of choices
1. find out why she is getting out of bed ! did yoy put her to bed to early ?maybe she still has to much energy!the best way is to keep her ocupied all day make her exasted.
2. does she have a fear of the dark? maybe get a night light she likes.and tell her she has to stay in bed until you come and get her and that the night light will keep her company .items such as a fairy,a doll that lights up or a fish aqaurium light might be perfect.
has your child been sleeping in your bed ? does she go to sleep beter with you? if so and you dont mind her being in your bed and u need the sleep maybe that could be an option as children do tend to outgrow that stage (not a good option but if your desperate),you can also move the bed into your room ,she could just have an enchiety from being away from you .
but if none of the above then drastic matters must happen hubby might be able to help to as its not just up to you to get up for her as you need your sleep .dont get crossed with her as that wont solve nothing if you are going to get upset walk away and count to 10.
1.the first time she gets out of bed take her back give her a hug and leave the room.
2.second time put her back say goodnight ,kiss cuddle ,walk away.
3.third time wlak her back but dont talk to her.
4.keep following step 3 just remenber you not being mean you have to teach her to stay in bed .you must make sure hubby follows the same rules you dont want one parent braking the rule as the child will not understand. use a star chart so everytime she stays in the bed longer she gets a star and received a reward if she gets 5 stars dont make rewards expensive .
5 you cna get a clock radio so she can see the time and she can listen to music during the night use classicla music as rock n roll seem to excitte children during dream time and tell her that until its 7 am(or what ever time you want her to get up)she must stay in bed leave a book next to her bed and tell her if she gets bored or she isent tired she can always look at a book but she must stay in bed and tell her is she does she will get a star and when she gets 5 stars a nice gift.
good luck.
