Five Tips for Getting Your Child to Sleep in Their Own Bed

How many mornings have you woke and found your child in bed with you. I know, this happens to me quite frequently. As, I have five children I am down to only the six year old and the two year old waking up in the middle of the night and crawling in bed with me.

As nice as it is to cuddle with them, this is not really a good habit for every night. Below are a few tips to help your child get through the night in their own bed.

1. Make a big deal out of bedtime.

If you make a big deal out of bedtime by doing things like reading a story or having them tell you a story and waiting with them for a little while before they fall asleep it helps your child to feel more comfortable in their own room.

Our bedtime rituals consist of the whole family to gather in one bedroom and then we do the story or talking with each other. After that we say a family prayer and tuck everyone into their beds, kisses and hugs goodnight, then its lights out.

2. Move them back to bed.

Yeah, you're tired and it's too easy just to let them stay in bed with you, but if you wake up when they get in bed with you, it's best to get up and move them. Be consistent, every time you move them back will begin to get them thinking and eventually they will just stay in their own bed.

3. Night Light.

Most parents of small children already use a night light, but it never hurts to make sure the nightlight is working properly and that the area lit has the proper amount of light.

4. Let your child pick their own bedding.

Sometimes, if you let the little one pick their own bed sheets, blankets and pillows, they will show more interest in wanting to sleep in their own bed. Occasionally a certain color, fabric, or even pattern may be especially comforting for them.

5. Consistency.

As mentioned in number two. You have to be consistent. Children thrive on schedule and consistency. Make sure they go to bed each night at a set bedtime, because then their sleep pattern won't be messed up. And no matter how tired you are, get up and put them back in their own beds. Sit there with them for a bit if you have too, but keep doing it.