2 Year Old Wants Lights On

I'd let him leave the light on. Really, it's doing no harm and if he'll sleep better, why not? Lots of kids go through phases of sleeping with lights on, or wanting certain items to sleep with, etc. It's probably just a phase and not a battle worth fighting at this point. Chances are he won't be 15 and still sleeping with a lamp on at night! Good luck!

It probably is just a phase and bedtime routines seem to be so important at this age. But I would be sure to ask him if there is something he is concerned about (maybe not use the word afraid, but get to the reason he is afraid of the dark if this is a new behavior). Maybe there is something he saw or heard about that you can talk about with him and reassure him that you are there for him. When my kids were this age they had little fears like this crop up but they usually were due to something they saw or heard that frightened them (like the ChuckECheese mouse at a birthday party). So it's good to check out anything that you might not be aware of that is frightening him and it gives you an opportunity to assure your son of his safety with you. Then I would set down the limits that make sense to you and start gradually making that work. For example if you feel that the firefly night light should be enough then explain that to him reassuring him that you are there in the house with him so there is nothing to be worried about. Tell him you will come check on him every 5 minutes the first day until you go to bed and then 10 minutes the second day, 15 the third, etc until he feels more comfortable with the light off. Of course, the hope is that he will feel comfortable/secure enough to go to sleep before you even come back to check on him. That way you are calling the shots and setting reasonable boundaries, but you're assuring him you are there for him. Hope that helps in some way.

I am sorry I don't have a link to it, but there have been studies done that indicate leaving a light on in the bedroom can contribute to poor eyesite.

Sounds like there is an underlying issue at hand. Deal with that issue (fear, insecurity, fantasy) and you will be able to leave the lights off.

Good luck!

Try one of those push on night lights that you can mount next to his bed (They are dome shaped). He can push it on and off all on his own, giving him the control. It is not as bright as a regular light, and still provides the comfort he is looking for. This age is when their imagination really starts getting active and they often need that extra comfort. These nightligts saved me when my kids were little. You can find them at Target. Look for the ones that turn off on their own after a few minutes. Many run on batteries, so I just used to throw them in the suitcase when we were traveling and then it was no problem when we were camping or at someone else's house. Good luck! C.

I say leave it on. My daughter even likes having it on. Not as a nightlight or because she's scared, but because she just prefers it. I say it's a small price to pay for your child's happiness.

M.,

My daughter will be 3 at the end of this month. She went through that about 2 months ago. I went to to store and bought her one of those, half-dome, touch lights. I let her keep it in her bed, with her, so she can see at least her hands and pillow. She is not allowed to play with it (turning it on and off), or she looses it for the night and has NO light (she did it ONCE). It is really dim and it seems to be working (after she tested her limits!!).

I go in her room when she has fallen asleep and turn it off and take it out of her bed. They are very inexpensive, under $5. I even saw them at the "Dollar Tree" here in Antelope (by I-80 & Raleys). Good luck!!

Mother of 2,
Steph

If he feels safe and comfortable with the lamp on and is able to sleep better then he should absolutely be able to keep it on. It doesn't hurt anything and maybe it just is a phase. I think if you turn it off and he turns it back on then it could just become an unnecessary battle in the future and create sleep problems. As for concerns when you are in other situations like camping, maybe he won't mind that things are different because you are in a different setting. Hope this helps.

I wouldn't worry about a light, I have a 14 and a 10 year old, they both have night lights in their rooms always have, it's such a minor fight, we got the LED nightlights that go off when the lights are on and come on when it is dark, if it makes them feel more secure, so be it. Trust me you'll have much bigger things to fight about as they get older.

This happened with our daughter at closer to 2.5 years old. We resisted it but she was clearly frightened and so we let her go to sleep with a nightlight and one of those portable Mobi Tykelights. We take a nightlight with us when we travel (it's small and portable) but it really hasn't been a problem away from home. And if we're sleeping in the same room, she doesn't care at all, we turn the light out when we go to sleep and she's fine.

Good luck!

My son went through this phase for about 6 months. He's now 3. He goes to bed with the light on but we turn it off after he falls asleep and he no longer turns it on if he wakes up at night.It's just one battle I've chosen to "let him win."

Try taking the lamp out and just put a small nightlight this will provide light but dimmer and save on your PG&E.

Phase or no phase I say let me him leave a lamp on. If he is sleeping well that should be the main concern at this age as sleep is super important for their growth and developement. I would just get a low watt bulb so the light is not too bright. but if for whatever reason he feels more confertable with the light on...so be it. I don't know how much traveling you do or camping, but each of those activities raise many other issues -- sleeping in a new environment -- a new room, a new bed, a tent, etc, traveling woes and jet lage depending on where you're going, etc. just becuase your son sleeps one way in the conforts of his own home does not necessarily mean that he will sllep the same way when you travel. My point being that unless you are moving his sleeping environemnt often, I don't think that you should worry about what it will be like when you visit family, or go camping on occassion, focus on whether he is comfertable sleeping on a day to day basis in his own room, his own bed...here's to happy sleeping!

M., because your 2yr old NEEDS the light on at this time allow it. He will in time turn it off himself...dont be ashame to let relatives know when he spends the night..and dont allow ANYONE to make fun of him..our job as parents are to protect our babies..and make sure the always feel safe at all times. the same will hold true when/if he begins to bedwet on down the road...ok?

I am a stay at home grandma home schooling 3 of my 13 grands, a mother of 5 grown boys, which one did have the light problem and another bedwetting, as well as one thumbsucker...love him thru it...talk to him just like you talk to an older child , he will understand.

Prayfully this will help you! good luck

Hi M.... I'm positive this is a phase your 2 year old is going through. My suggestion is to get a couple of night lights for his room and see how that goes. If he still gets up and turns the lights on, turn them off. The night lights should provide enough light for him if he wakes up.When I was a little girl{I'm 53 now} I went through a phase where I had to have my closet door closed { hanging clothes looked like people} my bedroom door wide open and the hallway light on. Every one of my 3 children got night lights for their bedrooms when they were little, and had no problems with the dark like I did. Hope this helps you.. Sincerely, CJ

Both of my boys 10 and 4 always want a light on. We got them each a desk lamp in their rooms. And put the lowest watt light bulb in. That way they have a lamp on but there is not a whole lot of light. Also I suggest a little portable night light that he can hold when you are traveling or camping.