Hi Queen!
Happy Saturday. I don't know about you but over the years, I felt like a lot of women unintentionally tried to project their issues onto me by telling me that my son would be 12 years old, still sleeping in my bed. I always looked with a side eye, like excuse me “Unh Unh get somebody else to do it” because that never sat well with me. I don't know about you sis but ain't nobody got time to be fighting these kids and the way they sleep. My son sleeps like he's working the field and I don't miss the nights when my back was on fire because of the many kicks I received in the middle of the night.
Let me tell you exactly what I did sis to help you begin to get a betters night sleep. I went straight to prayer and first asked God to help me with this situation sis because he knows me, and he knows my son. We are not the same! I said, father, you're gone, have to help me because I'll be darned if my son is a teenager and still sleeps in the bed with me. And guess what?!?! God did it!!!
With much practice and consistency on my part. The baby boy sleeps faithfully in his room. He sometimes gets it twisted but I guide his butt right back to his room every time. Remember this is a transition and transitions take time. So give yourself and your toddler grace as you transition to this new season of another transition with your toddler.
Want to know exactly how to get this done? Let the operation eviction begin.
1. Start by making the transition gradual:
I started by putting my son's bed in my room so he could at least get comfortable sleeping in his bed. As soon as he turned 4, I had to put my foot down and move his bed back into his room so the transition could continue. If that doesn't work for you, begin by having your toddler nap in their bed during the day, and gradually move to have them sleep there at night.
2. Create a consistent bedtime routine:
This can be reading a story or having a dance party right before bed. My toddler is super smart so he knows when we do this, it's bedtime and he tries it but he is typically out no more than 30 minutes later.
3. Make sure their room is comfortable:
That's with a comfy mattress, adequate temperature, minimal noise, and warm lights. To make it extra special by adding their favorite character to their bed and room. My son is a spider man person, so spider-man is everywhere and that's ok. As long as he's out of my bed. I am fine with that.
4. Add thunder or rain sounds to their sleep:
My son has been sleeping with Thunder and rain sounds since he came out of the womb. So this becomes second nature to his routine at night and always puts him out. This typically helps draw out any outside noises that may come about because they are already on edge for sleeping alone, so hearing something outside could scare them and prompt them to come to your room
5. Give your toddler a sense of security:
This can be by leaving a nightlight on or providing a special blanket or stuffed animal. Also, adding neon warm lights (like the gamers have) was a game changer for me as well.
6. Be consistent and patient:
It may take some time for your toddler to adjust to sleeping in their bed and room, but sticking to a consistent routine will help.
7. Try putting the TV on as they sleep:
I didn't know but my son is a TV-sleeping toddler. It reminds me of my dad. When we were little and even now to this day. He sleeps with the tv on and the moment you turn it off, he will jump right out of bed. This must be a man’s thing because I know a lot of men that sleep this way but hey it works.
I hope these tips were helpful and please know I am praying for this transaction in your life that God will give strength to get past this difficult transition. I pray over your children that God will give them peace past their understanding. That they may rest well in their rooms and own bed. In Jesus' name, Shalom.
