Bed Time Routine - McKinney,TX

Loved reading the good advise you have gotten. I would like to know if your daughter likes to be "in charge"? If so, would she consider putting her doll (stuffed animal) down for a nap/bedtime? You could teach her to get the doll ready for bed, lay in the bed to keep dolly feeling comforted. Maybe even have her "read" a story and say her prayers with dolly. Tell her you need her help and think she is big enough, responsible or ?? to have dolly in her care and you will be close by if she needs any help getting dolly to sleep. I would like to know if that works, praying the best for you.

I'll agree with Christine C, we used the SuperNanny techniques and they work. It took a few nights but it worked. Here is how her bedtime rule works:

* Have a consistent bedtime routine: bath, brush teeth, potty, book, sing (whatever you want as your nightly routine).
* Put her in bed, tuck her in, give hugs and kisses, say "good night"
* when she gets out of bed the first time, take her back to bed with little talking, tuck her in and say "good night"
* second time out of bed, take her back in - no talking other than to say a firm "good night"
* third and subsequent times out of bed - NO TALKING at all, put her back in bed, no hugs, no kisses, no excuses

It is very important to have no talking and "loves" in the repeated attempts to get up. This sends the clear message that her attempts to get out of bed and to get more attention will not be allowed.

This will be tough, especially the first night. But hang in there, by the third night our daughter only got up one time!!

Good luck - you can do it!!

Hi T.,
We just went through the same thing with our two year old. She has always been a great sleeper and then we ruined it. What worked for us was letting her cuddle with use for thirty minutes and then we go read a book in her bed. But I think the thing that sealed the deal was telling her that if she stayed in bed we would leave her door open. I think she was just scared to fall asleep by herself but leaving the door open, gave her peace of mind. I know every child is different, but maybe the same will work for you.

Just last night I was watching a Supernanny repeat about a family w/3 daughters, and the 4 and 6 year olds had horrible sleep habits! In the end, one of the parents always wound up sleeping with these girls and they hadn't really slept together in their own bed in years! Supernanny was pretty adamant that the parents had to be calm, firm and consistent. There was one night where the 6 year old was screaming and crying and would come out of bed, and mom or dad just kept walking her right back in. And it goes on for days and days. The mom was having a tougher time of it, so Supernanny kicked dad out of the house one night and got mom to really buckle down. No negotiating at all, almost no talking at all. When her daughter got out of bed, she would take her hand and escort her back to the room and tuck her in. The girl was screaming and mom just sat in the kitchen toughing it out. Finally the girl fell asleep and mom felt empowered! Supernanny was clear that the change would be gradual and take several weeks, but if mom and dad were consistent in their approach, day after day, they would succeed!

We have 2 children--9 and 11.

Our night time routine was always important and it helps provide comfort and security in small children. First brush teeth, get a drink, put on pjs. We read all together in the living room with the lights turned down low. Each child picked a book or as they have gotten older we read chapters out of chapter books. This can take 3 to 30 minutes depending on what YOU want to do--but be consistent. Then my hubby and I took both kids into their room. We pray together and then do "Snuggle Sing" 5 to 10 minutes of alone time with our child. We snuggle up and sing 3 to five songs. When the songs are over--kisses and big hug. Then we walk out. We never shut the door because our kids were afraid and it just wasn't an issue to leave it open. If you tell your little one that this is going to be the routine and then follow through, in about 4 nights she will expect it. Make sure if you have to deviate from the routine, that you give her a heads up so she won't be upset at bedtime when she's supposed to be relaxing.

We still do "Snuggle Sing" but most of the time it is just a time for them to unload the thoughts of the day and a great bonding time. The days will fly by and one day she won't want you there--and you will miss it.