How do you make a 4 year old start sleeping in their own bed?

Question

My son has been sleeping in our bed since he was about 6 months. I don't know how to make him start sleeping in his own room on his own bed. It's starting to become a bit of a problem for us because we are expecting another child (who is NOT going to sleep with us). When I send him to his room he feels like he is being punished or something, and we end up giving in to him. Please HELP? Any advice would help...Thanks!

Answer 1

Have him help you build a tent out of sheets over his bed and then when bed time comes go in there and sleep with him until he falls asleep.

Make sure the tent is up secure or take it down after he falls asleep!  To prevent it from falling on him and smothering.  He may even sleep in the tent on his own.  They also have bed tents at walmart you can get.

After falling asleep with him for a few days he will eventually do it on his own.

Answer 2

maybe try redoing his room with his favorite cartoon character or make it cool so he will want to be in there and then tell him now hes a big boy and needs to sleep in his own bed but make sure he feels comfortable and is not scared maybe for the first week or so lay with him until he falls asleep

Answer 3

Well you could:

1.Not give into him

2. Bribe him with toys & things if he sleeps in his own bed

Answer 4

i learned this from one of those nanny shows on tv:

when you put him to bed sit down in the room (where he can see you) with him until he goes to sleep.  every night move further and further away from him.  eventually you'll be in a spot where he can't see you and will eventually get used to it.  when that happens you can put him in the bed and walk out.

i did this when my daughter (we did not share a bed but it was always hard to get her to sleep)  was really young (she's four now so i think she was one and a half, maybe two, at the time).  it will take a lot of time but it's definitely worth it.  what ever you do... DO NOT GIVE IN TO CRYING AND TANTRUMS.  you'll only make it harder for everyone when you do it.

Answer 5

a trick that worked with my little sister was my mam said there was spiders in her bed so she went in her own lol

Answer 6

uhhh stop giving in to him and put him in his own bed.  it your fault he has gotten used to it, now turn it around and make him selep where he is supposed to.

Answer 7

Well I really don't have any experiance with my own children because I am not even old enough to get married! But... I have 7 siplings and taht has REALLY helped!

I realized thatt if you reward him for doing just plain average things then it will help him realize that it is actually good to do those things if you get treats! For example my littlest brother has the EXACT same problem and my parents really hate having him in there bed! My little brother is in love with video games so if he can sleep in his own bed for a whole week with out crying, begging, making a fit, exc. My parents will rent him a new play station game for him!

Tell him why you don't want him in your bed so he isn't very confused or hurt and affended! But be stern with him!

Hope this helped and good luck with your son and your new expected baby!

-Shayla

Answer 8

The first few nights will be hard, but you just have to  be consistent putting him back.  If he throws a hissy fit,( and this is likely) stay near his room so he knows he's not abandoned but not in his bed, and keep putting him back for as long as this takes.  He will cry himself out eventually.  This sounds harsh, but it is not really and the alternative is that you continue to let a 4 year old rule your house.

  Good luck!!! Do NOT sleep with him you are in charge not he!

Answer 9

1st thing , DO not give in once you start this process, he will realize that all he has to do is cry and scream and get his way.

2nd.  Ask him to help decorate his NEW cave space to sleep in.  Paint it, or put up new posters, or pictures, or new bedding , whatever you decide is in your budget and interests him.   This might help him some...  also you might want to get a " little " surprise and wrap it up for him.  tell him in the morning it will be outside his door, but if he doesn't sleep in his room, he won't get it.  You have to get him to really be interested in this new exciting change.  Make him be in charge a little.  

I wouldn't talk about it too much, then it will panic him and scare him.  Make it fun, make it sound like ' hey i got a great idea.. lets do this, lucky you .. look at this..  "  get excited for him.

when he does go in. .do not coddle him.  He goes in , light go out, nightlight on, quick kiss, give him some books to read and see you in the morning. DO not lay in there or stay in there.

* quick question. how the heck did you get pregnant again with a 4 year old in your bed everynight?** haha . enjoy the peace and privacy.  good luck