What works?

Well... We finally did it... We switched the girls to big kid beds and put them back in the same room.. And the honeymoon is finally over.... They did great the first week and now they think bedtime is party time... We've made this transition before to only mattresses on the floor and things got really ugly. So we have waited until they are now closer to 3.. We have tried rewards and token systems... Taking loveys... The only thing we haven't tried is closing the door and not going back in.. What worked for all of you who have had success with sleeping your kids in the same room?

 

We moved our boys over at 2.75 years and they will be 4 next month. We tried threats, taking thinks away, spanking, no naps, timeouts, no treats, everything. The ONLY thing that has worked for us was being in the room with them. I lay with them in their bed and scratch their back until they are sleeping or nearly sleeping, one boy at a time. Yes, it takes 30 minutes to get them down for a nap but it is well worth it for my sanity... and I have grown to like that one-on-one time with them. My younger son is already down for a nap when I put the twins down and I put a Baby Einstein movie in and put the baby in her exersaucer during that time. My husband does this for them at bedtime as well while I get the younger 2 to bed. Don't get me wrong, there still are days when they don't nap and create havoc in their room, but that is only a few time a month. I refused to give up the nap all together when it got tough and I don't think they were ready for it either. They just need help settling down. Though, I know now that our napping days are numbered!

I REALLY feel for you! Good luck!

 

I would actually close the door and stay out. At one point, we would put a bungie on the door, so they couldn't open it ( we would remove it before we went to bed, so they could get out in an emergency). Yes, we did find one sleeping on the floor by the door a few times, but that was his choice. And no, I didn't remove anything from their room--on the few times they pulled all the clothes out of the drawers, an hour or so spent returning them, kept that from happening again. Eventually, the did start staying in their beds, because they learned that it was more comfortable to sleep in the bed then on the floor.

 

We stayed with them in their room after the bed-time routine, in the dark, no interaction, just calmly telling them to go back to bed (or taking them if necessary) and that night-time is for sleep not talking, playing (whatever they were trying to do). In the beginning, we stayed with them until they were asleep (roughly 30 minutes or so), then until they were calm and drowsy, leaving a bit earlier every few nights. Sometimes DH or I used to fall asleep during this time, just for a cat-nap.

Since the habit has been established we stay for a few minutes - but only if they are calm and stay in bed. They like having us stay with them so telling them "if you keep on talking to me, I will leave so you can sleep. Tell me in the morning." usually works.

When we leave we leave their door open a bit and usually do a chore or two close by where they can hear some quiet evidence that we are close by, like folding some laundry or doing some ironing, tiding up the bathroom etc.

PS We continued co-sleeping for naps and quiet time, although every once in a while one of them will leave and go to their own bed.

 

I put them to bed and never look back. If they want to stay up and play or whatever so be it as long as they don't come out of their room. I was that way for all the kids. I don't have the time or patience to sit in their rooms until they fall asleep. If they do come out I just walk them back to bed and leave again. My only real concession is if they get up in the middle of the night they are welcome to climb in bed with me and sleep but they have to start out in their room.

 

We kind of did all of the above. At first we went in with them to lay down (and still do if one is staying up while her sister is about to zonk out). Now the rule is that they have to be quiet but that they can whisper and "read" if they want. Their doorknobs are reversed so that they can only escape through one door.

Because of space they only have beds and a dresser in their room. There's a no-toys rule, too. Only Bobby and Annie, the bears, are allowed to bed with them.

 

We turned the lock around and locked it from the outside, only went in if it got really loud (if we were worried they'd wake the baby) and if it got to a certain time and they were still up we turned the nightlight off so it was pitch black. Once the light is off they always go to sleep but it usually involves some tears so it is our last resort. Timeouts and taking away loveys never worked!