Major Sleeping Issues

I know that there has been tension but from most of my experience and reading what others have said this is not an uncommen thing what will probably be best is to wean her from having you there you can do this gradually. She needs to be able to sleep with out you there. Also I know that you play music for her before she goes to sleep try playing it all night. Also you can try to put a goldfish in her room the sound of the air in the aquarium and watching the fish might sooth her as well.

I am not an expert, but I think you have 2 choices. One would be to allow her to sleep in your bed. That is a very personal choice, but it works for many people. If you don't want to do that, I would do as I have seen on the show Supernanny. She is awesome with children. You put them to bed, say goodnight and leave. Every single time she comes out of the room, you must put her back in her bed with as little talking and communicating as possible. After the 3rd or 4th time, you simply put her back in bed with no talking at all. You do this on a weekend, or whenever you can be prepared for a long night. It may take several hours, but it would be worth it. It's exhausting and very hard to do, but eventually she will go to sleep on her own and develop the habit very quickly. It won't take forever, but you have to have strong willpower not to give into her. It does work, if you can do it. Good luck with whatever you choose and I hope it all works well for your family.

I recently saw one of those "supper nanny" type shows where a family was having a similar issue. They were advised to gently take their daughter back to bed every time she got up. At first they were to tell her something simple like, "Okay, time to go back to bed." Later times in the night they were simply to walk her back to her bed without talking. Consistency seemed to be the key to success. It worked for them. I've been trying this method with my almost-two-year-old son lately and it seems to be helping. He still tries to come sleep in our bed, but at least he seems to realize now that his bed is for him and that's where he's expected to sleep.

Hi Katherine,
We have a daughter who is almost 2 1/2. About 2 weeks ago our daughter started something very similar. There has been ALOT of changes for her and us since May. My husband started a new job, she left her old day care that she had been at for over a year, we moved. I've talked with my mom and a close friend with two daughters. They suggest keep putting her back to bed and sit with her until she falls asleep. They said it will take awhile for it to work but it has to be done. I haven't enforced this yet. I've let her crawl in bed with us. She shares a room with us since we moved.

I would like to maybe getting together sometime with our little ones. We live in Bothell.

My daughter did the same thing. She would always wake up and half way through the night wander into our room. It was always ok with me because I love that snuggle time. She is now 4.5 and sleeps in her bed by herself every night. I think eventually they grow out of it. She actually prefers her own bed to mine, which seems funny to me. My son who is turning 3 still sleeps with me. My husband is gone a lot for work overnight, and it's more of a security thing for me. Invest in a king size bed if you don't already own one! hehe :) Enjoy it while it lasts!

Hi Katherine,
First off, what do you do for a bedtime routine? Some children need an hour of quiet time, some like a nice warm bath before bed and like at my house, we brush teeth, read books and then lights out. We have been doing it the same for years and it has worked for us. I think she is so used to mommy or daddy being in bed with her that she does wake up when you leave. Put her into bed, give her lots of love and reasurrance that you and daddy are close by if she needs you and leave. If she gets up don't make a big thing about it and quietly put her back. You might have to do this a few times, but I think she will eventually get the hint. Hopefully soon you won't have to be in there with her. Hope this helps some. Good luck.
K.

Hi katherine!!! i just wanted to let you know that i can relate with you.. I have a daughter who's almost 2 (will be in in 2 weeks) and she's having the same issues!!! she used to be a good sleeper but NOW, we have to struggle to put her to bed. sometimes one of us would be in with her for 2-3 hours and just like you said, she'd wake up couple hours later crying. My husband or i would just end up sleeping with her. It's so frustrating and it's the same thing every night. I have no solution either but wanted to let you know that you're not alone!!! :) i'm curious to know what others have to say... S.

Hi Katherine,
Our daughter had that sleeping issue too!!!
I don't believe that you should " train" her sleeping habits. God only gave us our precious one. I believe that she is coming to you because she needs you. We were sometimes fustrated with fatigue, but we kept reminding ourselves that she will only do that for so long. We were just thankful that she has the ability to express the need... some kids in this world can't.
Let her crawl in your bed... or you share her bed...
Our little one is 9 now, and she likes her room... although we do miss that little one with pig tails.
Good luck.
Take a lot of pictures.
She will love the fact that she was held on as long as we could.

N.

A suggestion that I though of is have you tried music. When my kids had problems sleeping I would put on music via a music box, mobile, or even a small cd player. Of course, these were depending on their ages. If you choose a music box, there is a chance you'll have to wind it back up maybe once or twice because that is what I had to do a lot of the time. I'm not sure if there is anything else I can suggest. If I think of something else I'll get back to you. I hope this helps.

Our 5 yo had a difficult time sleeping until she was about 4. I wish I had read Healthy sleep habits, happy child by Marc Weissbluth a long time ago. Good luck!

Hi Katherine,
We have never had sleep issues with our kids. They ask to go to bed! The reason I think this is is because we let them sleep in our bed. There is nothing that feels safer to a kid than being with mommy and daddy. When they get older we put a single mattress beside the bed next to ours for them to graduate from to their own room. Call it unconventional, but you know what? It works well and everyone gets a good night's sleep.

reading books at night/bedtime often help calm a child. playing music very quietly so it can barely be heard by the person in the room lets them know they are not alone. the music should be instrumental and could be classical but some classical can be very loud.