Moving to big beds at 3 years old

We have been big crib/crib tent fans forever but I promised myself that I would make the switch at 3 years old....We made the new beds yesterday after a nap, S & L were so excited BUT last night we were still up at 11pm, up today at 8am, no nap of course and now just asleep at 9pm after 2 hours of running around like maniacs. I am frustrated and freaked out!
For those of you that made the switch at around the same age.....should I just allow them to experiment with the new found freedom and hope it mellows out within a week or so? OR, should I start firm and take away blankets, water, toys, etc...They could care less about the sticker chart for treats I put up (and they ripped down) and don't seem to care when I take things away. Mind you we have already cleared out the room of any extra stuff but they are being nutty- pulling curtains down, playing ring around the rosey, wrestling, jumping on each other, taking mattresses of the bedframes, having pillow fights, etc....
TIA, I am exhausted and about to cry!

 

Just sending you a big hug, I would want to cry too!! This is my biggest nightmear, and the reason mine are still in cribs!! I figured we would transition around 3 also, but maybe I will keep them in longer if this is the result!! I will be curious to hear what others with experience say. Just wanted to give you a hug!!

 

I was scared to death!!! We switched the week they turned 3 and I was NOT all for it!
We had 2 sort of tough days, but that was it, I was pleasantly surprised.
I do want to add, and this may be why we were so successful, my boys DO NOT share a room.
This could be the key for us{?}

 

Our first few nights were like that and we moved them a month or so after they turned 3. They were up bouncing off the walls forever!! Do you still have the cribs? We have one crib in their room still and a pack n play set up in our room. If they get out of their beds to play, they have to go back to the baby beds and they hate it! After about 2-3 weeks, we have more nights of them being in their big beds than baby beds but we still use the threat. They usually go right to sleep when we move them to the baby beds after they have been getting up to play in their big beds. It helps that their big beds are all princess themed and they are in love with princesses while their baby beds are generic with plain gender neutral sheets.

 

I think it is important to lay down the ground rules from the beginning. I really try hard not to teach them/allow them to do something that I will eventually not want them to. I would not let them be nutty if you do not want to allow them to always be nutty. I would set the boundaries of what is acceptable and discipline accordingly from there.

 

We were having a tough time keeping them in their beds at first. My kids were just a few months shy of 3 when we did it, but I was afraid they'd hurt themselves escaping from the cribs, so I had to switch. For a week or so, they'd climb out of their new beds and into ours. I decided to pull both toddler beds into my room and put them to bed there and it seemed to work with my kids. They got that they were supposed to stay in their beds and they also understood that they were losing the freedom of being in their room at bedtime, so they wanted to go back. Now they go down with no problems, I can hear them up whispering, giggling and walking around their room, but it's cute to listen to them play at night together.

Good luck!

 

At 3, they are old enough to understand cause effect. I would start with a warning, and then if they didn't settle down, take away a lovey. One time or two, and they will get it. They do need to know that you mean buisness, and you need to follow through with whatever you do. If you say you will take away a blankie, don't give them a 3rd chance, take it away like you promised. They will settle down quickly. Good luck!

 

Thank you, thank you, ts moms- I knew I could count on you for great advice and support!

 

We did the same as the pp and laid down the law right away. I also took things away and, as a last resort a couple of times, have split them up and made one sleep in the guest room. They're really good about going to be at night now.