Moving Her into Her Own Room

Transitions are so hard. I think majority of the time it is us parents that struggle the most. She has been so fortunate to have had your company and vice versa for 15 months at night. She will be fine. If you were to move her bed and start a new bedtime routine, one that will happen EVERY night, she will learn and adjust. For instance, read a book and sing or listen to music together and then Mommy gives a kiss adn then Daddy and a goodnight is said and out goes the lights adn you leave. She IS GOING TO CRY. It is a change but is she at jeopardy? No. You know she is safe. Upset but safe. It is important to have that bedtime routine and language utilized everytime. Why? So she knows what to expect. Children at that age learn by repitition. I think you should be realistic and KNOW that it is giong to take a little bit, but it will work. 98% of this transition going smoothly is making sure YOU are okay. She'll only be down the hall and you can peek in at her whenever you want. It iwll be important for you to be as calm and cool about it as possible. Those little ones are so smart that they can sense OUR ANXIETY and if you are anxious SHE WILL BE ANXIOUS too. Start talking to her about her room. Start talking about the bedtime routine. Maybe evn the day you make the crib move, let her nap in there as well. Sit in there with her but let her feel and see how this is going to work. Children are so smart and of course she would rather be in with you guys BUT it is important for her and for you to have your own space. She will start to understand she is still safe and mommy and daddy are just down the hall. Be patient but be strong it will take some time. Good luck. You're a good mom, that is why your worried.

I say that you and your husband should sit down and talk this out. You obviously don't agree that it's "time" to move her out. Daddy isn't the only one capable of making decisions for the baby (especially when it actually effects the whole family). Tell him how you feel and ask him to wait. I'm sure he'll understand.

Good luck.

There probably isn't an easy fix to this one. My son slept in his own bed since he was born. But since you are in this fix now, I would think that the best way to go about it is to slowly ease her into sleeping in her own bed. Maybe you should let her fall asleep in your bed and try carrying her to her own, so she will wake in her own bed and see it's not so bad. She may even like it. You could also try sitting by her bed, while she fall asleep. I used to do that sometimes, when my son was getting used to his bed, after his crib days. I used to read him a story and play music after. I made it clear he couldn't talk though, he had to go to sleep after the story. Once she's used to it, I'm sure you'll have no trouble. It's really not good for her, or you, for her to sleep with you, in your bedroom. I'm sure you realize that though.

Your daughter will probably have an easier time moving then you think. Get her a night light if she's used to having light. I suggest one that is painted pink or blue because it won't be so bright. Also if she doesn't have any crib toys get her something fun that attaches to the side of the crib. My 21 month old loves the Fisher Price Aquarium. He can turn it off and on and even change the music himself. He's been able to do this on his own for months.
As for your own anxiety, get a baby monitor. If you feel like you need to see her instead of just hear her then get the kind with the camera and the small screen. That way you can wake up and check on her anytime you want without disturbing her. She'll be fine on her own. I've never had a baby in my room past 6 months, but I know it's not easy when they "move out". Good luck. It shouldn't take more then a few nights for you both to get used to it.

R.,
i was in the same predicament (sp?) as you are right now when my daughter was that age, although she didn't sleep in our room. She had to sleep in the kitchen because we only had 2 rooms done in our house at the time. When we finished her room it was upstairs and our room wasn't done yet, so i was totally histerical the first night that I put her up there all by herself. You couldn't believe how resilient kids are. She didn't even cry. She just said i'm in my crib so i guess i'm ok. :) I cried for hours and didn't sleep a wink that night even though i had the monitor on. It was harder for me than it was for her. I hope you have the same results. Great luck :) J. :)

Baby monitor. Easy. They have them with the cameras so you can see your child while they are in their crib. You can get one of those, and just the walkie talkie kind for her end. Keep it turned on in her room so when you hear her cry on the monitor, you can talk to her through the other. You will be able to see her, and she will still be able to hear you when she crys.