Need Advice on Crib Jumping

I think this is why valium was invented...The crib jumping is fun! And you're putting them back in only allows for them to keep playing the game! (remember when they threw food on the floor? That was great fun!)
Perhaps ask them to jump back in...This worked for my boys...it took them more effort to put themselves back in and I rewarded them for it with a sticker on their chart over the crib. There doesn't have to be a toy at the end (that works, though for potty training...)And they were exhausted enough to sleep soundly.
Eventually, they will outgrow the crib(s) and this method will work again. They will go ape over having more freedom to get out of bed and play the game; but having them climb back in to receive a treat...perhaps one m&m...gives them the choice to do what you want without you getting frustrated. (Place the m&m in the bed while they are out and announce that when they get in bed they have to search for it...) Once the nap is over, THEN it's time for fun and games!

hi, my name is W.. I have 2 boys, (18 and 20 years, and I had the same situation years a go,)I'm not good in english, first, if they are in the same room is a mistake. second play with them early in the afternoon and try to calm them before time to bed, third, you have to be more serius when you talk to both and explain the importance to rest. they understand you,belive me. have individual conversations and time with each other, never go in the car before seep, put them in "time out" if they confront you.they have to know that you are in charge not them,and they have to respest each other, change their beds, and gave them their own space, this situation is not a joke. give them many hugs, and kisses in their bed, said a short prayer, start a rutine. and ...have a good night. loves from puerto rico

Just think that they can hurt themselves by jumping off the cribs. Toddler beds or regular beds will be fine. Maybe getting a gate so they can't come out of their room. Maybe they will be playful at the beginning but they will get used to it .....eventually.
Good luck! ( as I was reading the post, I was trying to picture it on my head and it seems so funny...sorry I couldn't stop laughing...and I shouldn't, I have a one yr old and I am due in 2 months, so later on I will have almost twins giving me a very hard time...)

As a parent of a 15 year old, four months on my second, and a school teacher for a few years lets say, I agree that it is time to make the transistion to Toddler beds. There is nothing wrong with children playing a little rough, they key word is playing. You and your husband just have to set boundaries on what is and isn't allowed and not to be laxed on enforcing them. Many issues paarents have is not wanting kids to hurt themselves. They won't. They know NO fear....we are the ones who panic.

Hope this helps a little.....

i would say to get rid of the cribs also, however, i can tell you from experience the "fun" has only just begun. my 2 children are 5 and almost 3 and they still get out of bed. most nights more than once. putting them in bed while quiet, God bless the Super Nanny, but those kids on her show must be TRAINED :P. my kids don't care if i don't talk or not. but, if you don't want to get rid of the cribs right now (most peds i think recommend waiting until 3) they do sell crib tents. they sell them at toys'r'us. the are somewhat expensive. but they are mesh fittings that go over the top of the cribs and zipper. check the ratings bc some are not too great.

They are siblings, ditch the cribs and let them begin to work it out. If one usually takes the more aggressive role, perhaps if you arent there to bail the other out they will stand their ground and establish a relationship that is less aggressive.

Get the toddler beds and a baby moniter so you can hear what is going on and let them know you can hear what they are doing and will not tolerate them getting out of bed after tucked in for the night. Unless potty trained if they are.you might also have to separte them.

Even if you don't change anything, they Already have the ability whenever they want, according to what you've posted. LOL

I'd ditch the cribs. Get a pair of twins, and put them on opposite sides of the room. Explain the "rules" of big beds to them. I never had a big problem with my kids roughhousing on the beds. But you have to give them a place and time that it IS appropriate to play more roughly. Let them put all the pillows on the floor in the family room and do an obstacle course race, or chase each other without standing up or something silly with music so its lots of fun. Kids are going to rough-house. Just make sure you guide where and how they do it so no one gets hurt and the house isn't destroyed, LOL. Hang in there momma!

I read the "crib jumping" line and cracked up. It totally sounds like a sport to me. If they aren't content in staying in the crib, then you do need to move on to either toddler beds or twin beds. Whichever you prefer. There will be, probably, a couple weeks to a month or so of them getting out of bed and seeing what they can get into or get away with. Since you've got two, they will probably egg each other on, so it will go on for longer than just a single toddler would. But eventually, they will get bored of it and stay in bed. You will probably find them sleeping in the same bed some mornings. Who knows. The joy of twins. Transitions can be tough, but just stick to what you're doing already by putting them back to bed with very little to no interactions and you'll get through it.
Good luck with your future olympians!

A. and Family,

FIRST OFF I SERIOUSLY AND HIGHLY discourage using child safety gates or any other device of that manner.

Using those items can delay you getting to your children in the event of an emergency, for example A FIRE!

THEY DO HAPPEN! YOU DON'T WANT TO BE FARTING AROUND WITH A GATE or any other restrainable device in order TO GET TO YOUR BABIES!

SECONDS COUNT IF YOU DO HAVE A FIRE!

As a mother of five children who MUST watch how every penny is spent, I would recommend that you skip those toddler beds and go ahead and invest in regular beds (get bed rails too) that sit fairly close to the ground. (Make sure you take the casters (wheels) off of the bed so they don’t move as easily)

Don’t waste your money on the toddler beds because they will be out grown way to fast. They are just like clothes, socks, and shoes…they won’t stay around long. Think about how fast the children grow.

Here in our home we have the beds for the munchkins pushed against the wall (I mean right up against the wall so they can't fall in between the bed and the wall) and on the other side there is a bed rail.

Siblings do play, jump, roughhouse etc. After having several bad knots on the noggins, serious bruises sustained as a result of goofing off on the toddler beds I highly discourage them. Regardless of how often we had time outs, peacetimes, and other reprimands they still did it and got hurt.

As for the bedtime issue of getting them to stay in bed once they are placed there, since I don’t know your daily routine it is hard to really make recommendations.

As for my bundles of energy I do my best to make sure the three smallest children are seriously exercised during the day. At 7 it is time to get ready for bed which includes a very nice warm bath, then at 7:30 after teeth have been brushed we pull out a bunch of books and read as long as their focus is on the story being read, then it’s lights out promptly at 8:30AM! NO EXCUSES! NO FUSSS! NO MUSS! END OF CONVERSATION!

Stay consistent with them and the fact they must stay in their beds. Don’t be taken in by the clever little tactics they may use to stay up. No matter how cute the stall tactics seem, stick to your words and follow through.

Consistency is the key. Be firm and loving with your words and actions so they know that you mean business.

After the first time of saying “nighty night” that’s it say no other words to them if they get off the bed. Escort them to the bed place them back on it lovingly, tuck them in, and silently walk out!

That process took me several nights with my four-year old daughter (my fourth born).

I HIGHLY recommend that you assert patients. I say this after my own patients was tested and max’ed out.

A., I hope that you find this to be helpful. We wish you and your family the best of luck with this matter and hope that you find the swift resolve that you need.

Kindest regards,
D.

Children, no matter how close or far apart (age wise) will at some point "play rough." I agree that you really must remove the cribs. My second daughter broke her collar bone because of her "expertise" jumping so real injuries can and do occur. My third child is sleeping on his crib mattress on the floor. It's fine for us and even better for him because he still manages to roll off and end up on the floor. I say put the crib mattress down on the floor and no better time than the present to teach your children that bed time means sleep and not play. Good luck.

It's definitely time to ditch the cribs. At two you could probably go straight to twin size bed rather than spend money on toddler beds. You won't know if they will roughhouse with each other until you try the next sleeping situation. But you are doing the right thing when they do get up to pick them up and put them back to bed without saying a word. The game gets old then and they aren't getting the attention they want if you don't say anything to them. That's what we had to do with my little one. it only lasted a couple-few weeks and he stayed in his bed.

Hi Aledxandra,

Sounds like you will have very athletic children. My son use to show up in the kitchen at night with a stick in his hand that he had pulled off the crib. He's, been athletic all of his life, he's now 48 and if you saw him you would think hes 32. However his hypiness kept my husband and myself chasing him constantly. I did not want to break his spirit with too much decipline and I think I made the right decision, he turned out fine.

D. P.

Hi A.,

You mentioned toddler beds and I see that a lot of people recommend going straight to twin beds to save money. Just wanted to let you know that we found our toddler bed on craigslist for $15.00. We are using our crib mattress and this was much cheaper than getting a new twin mattress set. I don't mind a used bedframe but won't use a used mattress if I can avoid it. Our reason for the toddler bed is a space issue. My son's room is very small and if we put a twin bed in there, he would have very little floor space to play on. We figure it buys us a year or two and maybe we will be in a bigger house by then:)

Good luck!