Help! We just transitioned my 2 1/2 year old son into a toddler bed yesterday. His nap was the first experience with it. Needless to say, he took this new found freedom and played with everything in sight. We would tell him to try and stay in his bed and be still for 5 minutes (we would set the timer). Well, the nap never happened.
Evening time rolled around and we did the same bedtime routine. He was all excited to get in his bed, snuggled in and awaited some of his favorite books we read. He was up after a few minutes and playing with things. I gave him short stern directions to get back in bed, after an hour and a half, he turned off his own lantern and fell alseep. He actually made it the whole night (minus rolling out of bed at 5:30 am while still asleep- but went right back to bed).
The problem I thought we would have we do not. Once he is asleep, he stays asleep (knock on wood). I know it is still early and this is a HUGE learning process for all. I did not expect smooth sailing right off the bat. However, I am turning to my fellow moms to see what has worked for you. I want to lay some ground rules from the beginning in fear that bad habits will form.
Our son is a sweet boy who I know aims to please. I am just waiting for this to kick in. I know he is testing his waters but UGH!!! If it were up to me he would be in a crib until kindergarten!! Just wondering if I will ever sleep again.
I followed all the super nanny techniques and they work beautifully! if he is remaining in his bed now i'd say you are pretty much done... later he might try and test it but keep going as you are good.. and firmly tell him no it's bed time now... and put him back to bed...
If you do sleep again better be with one eye open.
It sounds like you are doing great and if you don't bend the rules, etc. it should be fine. Our first two children were boys 12 months apart. I put gates up at their door to begin with and could tell you some experiences that would really make you glad your little guy is doing so well. Our boys got out of bed early in the morning and got into all sorts of things and I thought my life was over some days with them. However our other kids were much easier and I'm sure it had to do with my experience and laying a FIRM foundation on what they were to do and not do at bedtime. Just be sure you praise him for doing so well too. I too vote for cribs until kindergarten. :-) And you will sleep again when he's married and gone...no not even then. :-)
We just incorporate all the excuses into our bedtime routine. supper, bath, brush teeth, bed. Nothing to eat or drink after teeth brushed except water. Then we go potty, get drink of water, & sleep. We told our kids that they were not to wake us unless they saw sun coming through the windows. I then told them if they wake early then they can play quietly in their rooms only! So far no problems here. now 4 & 5 both are potty trained & get up & go by themselves & get back to bed without bugging anyone else. For nap time, I changed to quiet time. told them they were big kids now in the big bed so they didn't have to sleep, but now have quiet time. they have to stay in room 1 hour & play quietly. I set timer. My son would fall asleep, daughter not, but both stayed in room. I would just tell son he must be going through a growth spurt. :) My daughter will nap every now & again & this is her excuse too. Hope this helps you.
We took all our boys' toys out of their room so they had less reason to get out of bed. We also made sure the boys couldn't get into their closets and drawers. We let them have a few stuffed animals in their beds, but that was it.
After a few days, the novelty will wear off and he'll go to sleep pretty well. Good luck!
For us we have a few rules for which there is no bending, no food in the living room or bathroom (yikes), alwasy keep your seatbelt buckled while we're driving, etc. etc. These rules have been laid down as law with the sternest, most serious "mom and dad REALLY mean this" looks we cold muster and so far they have worked. We did the same thing when we put my oldest in his bed. He was still in daipers at the time so telling him that once he is in bed he can't get out until after he sleeps worked well b/c he didn't need to get out for the bathroom. we just told him from the beginning basically that this is how the bed works. I have a feeling it won't work that easy with my second son, but I'm hopeful!
We just made sure they knew that once they were in bed then they were not to get up again , they can look at a book in bed but that it is. Ours went to beds with no issues either , slept the first night with no waking or falling out etc and it continued like that , the only thing that did change was they stopped napping but I wasn't fussed about that.
We are two weeks and one day into this process with a 2.5 year old. So far, it's going pretty well. We left the crib in the room for two weeks as a reminder where he would go if he got out of bed. We had a no tolerance policy. He got up the second night and so we put himin the crib as promised/threatened and he really wanted to be in the bed so it was effective. We have only had one problem since and it was last night. It was so funny, I blogged about it this morning. www.themommyhood.com if you want to check it out. I even have a picture - a re-enactment of where we found him sleeping. This kind of stuff helps me remember two is fun and it won't last forever.
Good luck, I am sure it will go well.
Good Morning, S.. For the first day he did GREAT!!! Congrats. Just continue with what you are doing now and he will get it.
If he is not up walking around the house in the wee hours, he is doing super!! Kuddo's for him turning off his own light and hitting the bed.
God Bless and relax, sounds like he is well on his way.
K. Nana of 5
i feel your problem. my husband and i just got our almost 2y/o a toddler bed and she still wont sleep in it. she still sleeps with us. so if u find the right answer please share with me, i would love to find the secret. good luck, R.
