How do I get my three year old to quit getting out of bed at bed time?
Answer:
GOOD LUCK. If you work that one out, let me know. I still have this problem with my 4-year-old. It can take up to 21 days to make a habit; unfortunately, my son seems to make a habit of getting up and making "rituals" out of everything we've tried. His bedtime and bedtime routine are consistent, so I can't work out why he won't stay in bed, but here are some things I have tried so far:
1. Putting him back to bed without a word, over and over and over and over again.
2. Sitting in front of his doorway and waiting until he goes to sleep.
3. Closing his door and asking him to keep it closed.
4. Asking him to keep his feet in bed.
5. Letting him have books in bed for him to look at - he picks two or three each night. This one actually worked the best until he decided he needed to get up and bring the books out after he was done with them every night.
We've also done the screaming and shouting bit, but of course that doesn't work. I hope one of these works for you!
Tell her there are monsters under her bed.
Be persistant, keep putting him/her back into bed and tell them it is nite nite time or whatever you say as your night time ritual! My lil man (2) still comes out of bed sometimes.
STOP allowing him/her to do it! No naps, during the day, and being strick about bed time and you'll see a big difference. Also, install a night light and play soft soothing music. Kids just hate being alone in a room.
tell him if he dont litens tell him the buggy man will snatch him off the ground
Make sure that a nap doesn't last longer than 1 1/2 hours, keep a consistant bedtime and only say it's bedtime-nothing more-and put them back in bed as many times as it takes. It's going to drive you crazy for a couple of days, but it will get easier in a week or so... the child will eventually get the idea that when you say bedtime. it's bedtime.
Glow in the dark stars.
A cute mobile.
A 'special' lamp all of her own.
Read her a book and let her know that she can request drinks, toilet (the usual excuses) whilst your reading it but once its over thats it, bed!
Turn out all your lights -except hers if she needs a night light- so there is nothing for her to get up to.
Go to bed yourself -or make it look like you are- biggest reason kids don't want to go to bed, or keep getting up, is because they think they are missing out and want to 'check up' on whats going on.
Good luck.
PUt a baby gate across the door, even two of them stacked up if he can climb over one, and don't go back. If he falls asleep by the door, fine, he will soon tire of that and not bother getting out of bed. Or you can spank his butt every time he gets up, that works too.
Make a routine,(like reading a book or putting on music). If that doesn't work, sit with him for a bit in his room until he settles down.
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