When should our 4 year old son go to sleep on his own?

Question

We read stories and stay with him until he falls asleep. We always have. I am just wondering when he should go to bed and fall asleep on his own, even if we read a story or two first?

Answer 1

My son fell asleep on his own at 6 or 7 months.  He is now 2 and still goes to bed awake and falls asleep on his own.  You may have difficulty getting him to change this habit now.  This is his bedtime routine and it is a habit.  All habits are hard to break.  There will be crying.  Probably a lot of crying.  He is old enough now to get a story and then go to bed and fall asleep.  At this point, the only thing you can do is tell him that from now on you will read a story or two and then it is bedtime.  Then, leave his room.  He will get up and come out.  Put him back.  Even if this takes 50 times.  Keep putting him back in his bed and leave the room.  YOU have to break this habit, if you don't want to wait with him until he falls asleep anymore.  I am not trying to sound harsh, but, you have made this behavior, so now you will have to deal with the difficult consequences.  Or, you could continue on with the way things are.  The key is to be consistent.  Start tonight and do the exact same thing every night until he learns this is the new bedtime routine.  I suggest dinner, quiet play time, bath, brush teeth, get pjs on, maybe more quiet play time, story, and then bedtime-lights out.  Every night.  He will eventually learn.  Be patient and consistent.

Answer 2

Well it should be going to sleep on its own very soon. i would lay your son in his bed and sit next to him until he falls asleep. I know im only 14 but thats what i have done many times when i babysit.

After a little while your son should be goin to bed by himself in no time!

Answer 3

There is nothing wrong with what your doing. If it works then it's fine. All kids are different.

Answer 4

I'd say most kids do go to sleep on their own around this age. My son is 4 1/2 and we tuck him in and read to him but he's awake when we leave the room and has been since he was 2. If you still stay with him until he falls asleep I suggest you start leaving the room before he falls asleep. I used to tell my son that I had to get my pj's on and go potty and that I'd check on him in a minute. Most of the time he'd be asleep by the time I got back. If not I'd sit with him a while before I left again. Pretty soon he got used to falling asleep on his own.

Answer 5

My son is 4 and we read a story then I put on a thomas video for him and he watches it untill he falls asleep!

Answer 6

There isn't really a time when he should start falling asleep on his own- he'll do it whenever you teach him to. If you want him to start then just give him a hug after you read the story and leave the room. If he gets up and comes out just walk him back in there. After a few weeks I'm sure he'd be used to falling asleep on his own at night. Now with that being said, I still lie down next to my 5 year old when he goes to sleep at night- it just works for us. It only takes him 5-10 minutes to fall asleep and it's not hurting anything for me to stay with him for a few minutes so I don't think it's a big deal. =]

Answer 7

We read our 2 year old daughter one story and she's out. Sometimes we'll have to put in a video, but that's rare.

He's old enough now to go to sleep on his own. Read a story at night and then have him go to sleep, with you out of the room. For the first few weeks he might be a little unprepared and feel scared, but he'll get used to it.

Put on a nightlight or if possible put on a video! Good luck!

Answer 8

Honestly you should teach your child to go to sleep on his own  about 2-3 years ago. I never let my kids watch TV to fall to sleep to kids should sleep on there own no matter the noise. Don't let them nap for to long they should be up by 2:30 3 and be down for bed no later then 8. My kids just turned  9,8, and 5 and they have been going to bed on there own for years. Dinner is at 6:30 and then I let them watch TV while each one of them take a showers and pajama up  and by 7:30 I have them all sit in the living room and read them a story all at the same time. Then put all of them in there beds and we say good night to each one of them separately. Lights out by 8. You and your significant other need alone time to. My kids can sleep through anything I can vacuum right next to them and they don't wake up. When we have guests over its perfect cause they don't wake up to the noise. I also play Mozart softly its supposed to stimulate there brain.

Answer 9

My daughter is 4 and I read her a story at night with her sister and brother, and then they go jump into bed and I tuck them in with hugs and kisses. They fall to sleep shortly after.

Answer 10

You've actually encouraged not falling asleep alone, because your son has never gone to sleep alone. You'll need to change this. It will be gradual, and emotional. Start a routine that allows your child to wind down in the evening- keep the routine faithfully. Keep at it. Whether it's bath, story and snuggle, them bed and kisses, sit a very short bit and then leave. You'll need to find a combination that settles and makes your son comfortable enough t sleep. In the beginning, tell him you need to go do a, b, and c, then you'll be back. Eventually, you'll be able to have your  routine, and then it's nighty night time.  Good luck, you can do it, but so can your son. He just needs your help. Soft music and lighting may help him as well.