| All day long our busy little toddler amuses us, delights | | | | Here are some important tips when trying to get your |
| us, and even baffles us with their naïve | | | | toddler to sleep in their own bed. |
| semantics. The world through the mind of a toddler is | | | | 1. Discuss regularly with your child that big/boys and |
| a great place to be and it seems like for them the fun | | | | girls sleep in their own bed. Although they may not |
| never ends....that is except at bedtime. As much as we | | | | completely understand at first, believe me our little |
| love our toddlers bedtime for many of us signifies a | | | | innocent bystanders are quicker to catch on then we |
| time where we can either wind down or complete | | | | think. |
| some last minute chores. However for toddlers it can | | | | 2. Make the room a comfortable, yet fun place for |
| mean war! The battle to stay up and play is not one | | | | your child to sleep. Allow him/her to help choose |
| they take likely and for us mommies the battle can be | | | | bedding(maybe their favorite cartoon character)also |
| brutal! | | | | purchase a nightlight or two, this way they experience |
| Who taught them such scare tactics?! Like screaming | | | | the calmness of darkness needed to sleep, but will not |
| uncontrollably until you come running to retrieve them, | | | | be overwhelmed by it at the same time. |
| surely the neighbors will cry abuse...or the manipulative | | | | 3. Provide a small plastic container of water by the |
| drink of water/bathroom technique, very clever my | | | | bedside (juice may increase chances of cavities) for |
| little Einstein. Do we really stand a chance against such | | | | the mommy I'm thirsty trick-we're one step ahead of |
| a worthy opponent? Despair not fellow mommies, | | | | you bud! |
| those cute little faces might be quite a distraction, but | | | | 4. Be sure to make a big deal of potty time before |
| stand fast help is on the way! Here is what one | | | | bed and discuss that mommy is making sure you use |
| mommy from Chicago, IL had to say when questioned | | | | the potty now so you wont need to go during bedtime. |
| on how to get her toddler to sleep. She stated that | | | | If your child does need to go, do not make a big deal |
| she did not have a problem with her toddler crying but | | | | take him/her to the potty and immediately back to be. |
| that her little girl just refused to stay in her bed. She | | | | You will soon figure out when the need to go to the |
| recalled the following incident: | | | | bathroom is simply a tactic. |
| Susan discussed how she carefully planned her | | | | 5. Make sure your child's room is childproof in case |
| daughter Samantha's first night in her own bed. They | | | | your private eye does venture out of the bed for |
| had discussed it and made a big deal of it all day. She | | | | some midnight investigation work he needs to catch up |
| prepared the room carefully with Samantha, by putting | | | | on. So much to do so little time! (a monitor is always a |
| her favorite cartoon sheets on the bed and putting | | | | good idea as well.) |
| two night lights in place. Samantha and her favorite doll | | | | 6. Be consistent. Each time your little adventurer gets |
| peaches, even got a new pair of pajamas for the | | | | out of bed you should put them right back in. It is best |
| occasion. Samantha seemed very excited and agreed | | | | to save the cuddling for another time. Be firm as well |
| with mommy that she would sleep in her bed until | | | | as brief with each encounter. Be careful! these little |
| morning like a big girl. That night Susan read Samantha | | | | ones are very good at what they do. Entering into too |
| and Peaches a story, tucked them both in to bed and | | | | much conversation could be just the in they need to |
| kissed them goodnight. She was pleasantly surprised, | | | | access your bedroom and before you know it you've |
| but proud at what a big girl Samantha seemed to be. | | | | had another sleepless night. Hold on! Turn a blind eye |
| She kissed her mommy back and said "good night | | | | to those little tears, contrary to what they want us to |
| mommy" Samantha said enthusiastically (almost as if | | | | believe no child has ever been harmed because the |
| she couldn't wait for her mommy to leave). "Goodnight | | | | were not allowed to sleep with mommy and daddy. |
| baby, mommy will see you in the morning" Susan | | | | Don't give in. |
| replied. She walked room with her chest stuck out, | | | | Note: Be sure to carefully assess your child before |
| what a wonderful little girl she was raising! Seconds | | | | putting them to bed. Rule out illness, hunger, thirst and |
| later her Mommy radar went off. She tiptoed quietly | | | | potty. Once ruling these things out and making sure |
| back to Samantha's bedroom and saw only her little | | | | child is safe, do not be distressed by your crying |
| bottom sticking up, as her head was in the toy box. | | | | toddler. Remember it is considered healthy for a child |
| When she called Samantha's name, she looked up, | | | | to learn how to be alone and to discover that you do |
| smiled, and replied innocently "Good morning Mommy!" | | | | not always need to be there for him/her to be safe. |
| Unfortunately it was months before she could actually | | | | Learning to be alone will build traits of inner security |
| get her to stay in her bed and go to sleep, but hey the | | | | and self-confidence. Hang in there learning is a gradual |
| thought was nice while it lasted. | | | | process! |