How do I covince my daughter to sleep in her bed all night?
Answer:
First, tell her that YOU personally, would NEVER let anything harm her. Let her be creative...ask her what she thinks she can do to make whatever is scaring her, go away. Children have huge imaginations...plus she'll like the fact that SHE'S taking control of whatever is scaring her. You'll get sleep and she'll get a boost of self confidence. But, the most important thing, is that you bring her back into her OWN room when she comes for a little early morning visit! It might take weeks to get her to stay in there, but it will pay off. She'll love you even more for keeping her structured and disciplined...and it shows her to face her fears. She'll have a new found RESPECT for her daddy.
I suggest tying her to the bed with yarn.
Just keep taking her back, but don't get angry with her, or she will see her room as a punishment. She'll get the idea eventually.
have you tried a nite lite? what about a special "friend" (stuffed animal or doll) I hope you find an answer, because sleepless nites aer not fun for anyone!! Good luck!
Set up an intercom system near her bed. Tell her if something is really wrong she can press a button and talk to you in your room without getting out of bed. You can also talk back to her without having to get up...maybe this will help reassure her that she really isn't all alone and can call you if she really needs to. It make increase her nighttime security so she won't have the need to wake up anymore.
If it doesn't bug you when she sleeps on the floor just tell her she can come into your room, but she can't wake up mommy and daddy and needs to stay on the floor.
Also you need to figure out if there is something in her room you can change to make her more comfortable/feel safer.
You might be able to get sheets and comforter of her favorite character and play a CD or cassette of relaxing music while she sleeps. Maybe with songs about Jesus taking care of you etc. Have the music play continuously if possible. limit sugar and caffeine product from early evening on. Lock your bedroom door and when she comes to your room at night walk her back to her room tuck her in and reassure her until she goes back to sleep then go back to yours. It may be hard for you with your sleep being interrupted but she will learn that her bed is where she needs to sleep and she is safe and loved.
Kathy
Tell her why you don´t want her in your bed-sensitively
I think your choice of wording for the question is interesting - you feel you need to "convince" a 5 year old to sleep in her bed. That makes it sound like there is room for discussion in this situation and that she has an opinion.
She may be the smartest kid on the block, but she still needs to know you 2 are in charge. This may take a couple nights but it will be worth it. Decide if she is the type of kid who needs to be told in advance "Tonight you are going to sleep in your own bed" before bed and do so - unless you think her personality would be better suited to having it sprung on her - it all depends on the kid! When she comes in your bedroom say "no you are sleeping in your own bed now." Then you get up, take her by the hand, tuck her back in with a kiss and some love, then leave the room. If she cries and gets back up, put her back in bed gently but do not interact with her. If she just cries and lays in bed, go check on her every few minutes just to let her know you are watching over her and won't let anything harm her. You may have to do this for several hours but I guarantee you after a few nights she will stop coming in your bedroom to sleep. If she ask "Why" tell her whatever you want the first few times (because big girls sleep in their own bed, because daddy and mommy need to sleep by themselves), but then end the discussions. She's heard your response and she knows what you are going to say - she is only trying to engage you at 2:30am.
Also, consider that part of the reason your daughter may be coming to you in the middle of the night is because she is craving attention from a father who is gone at work a lot. If she can't get it during the day, kids are very resourceful and will get their emotional needs met at any time. I am sure you are working so hard because your family needs you to, so I am not suggesting you drop a job. What I am suggesting is to make sure you devote sufficient time to her (and your other kids if you have them). I find that giving that first 15 or so minutes when after I get home from work to my daughter can go a long way in providing her with the security and connection kids want. This may lessen your daughters need for closeness at night.
I am oh so familiar with this one. My son is 4 1/2, and is scared of his room as well.
What I did was set up a sticker chart. Every night that he slept in his bed all night by himself, he got a sticker for that day. If he came to my bed, then he didn't get a sticker. He got so excited about getting stickers, that he didn't want to come to my room at night, because he was disappointed if he didn't get a sticker.
After a 7 straight nights of sleeping in her bed all night, let her have a treat. It could be picking out a small toy, going for ice cream--let her pick what she wants her treat to be.
Hope this helps.
Do u have other kids? If u do try having her shear a room with a sibling & maybe she wont be so lonley. But if u dont put her back into her own bed your just telling her it's ok to do this and she will!! Good luck
I taught my daughter early on (she is 4 now) that she has the power to scare away anything scaring her...
I made up some sort of growl/bark/roar and told her that's what dinosaurs say - and EVERYTHING is afraid of dinosaurs.
Every night for the last year, before she goes to bed, she stands in the middle of her bedroom and makes this god-awful sound, (to scare everything away of course) and then goes to bed without fears.
I have to turn away when she does it, because it makes me laugh - but it works for her!
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