ANSWERS: 7
  • You should explain to her that she's a big girl, and big girls sleep in thier own beds at night. You could get her a new bedroom suite and fix it up with her favorite charachter. My daughter would still be sleeping with us, had I not fixed her her very own princess room. Everything in it is princess, she loves it. It may not work but its an idea.
  • Tough call -- four is a little old to share a bed, but not disastrously so. Have you talked to your little girl about it yet? Maybe take her shopping for a bed, let her help pick it out, and let her know that she's getting to be a big girl and gets her very own big girl bed! If you make it exciting for her, rather than a "you have to do this now" sort of thing, it might ease the transition for her. Just remember that it won't happen overnight (as it were). This is a big change for her, and there may be some lapses. Some parents stay in the room with their kids until they fall asleep for the first few weeks. Good luck to you!
  • this has been pretty much since my divorce that she has done this. when i moved i told her it would be her room every night so she needs to pick what she likes. that lasted all of two nights then i let her sleep with me again. she keeps asking for my gf to live with us. i tell her that she needs to sleep in her own bed first and she says she will. then bed time rolls around and its either a fight and i cave or she sneaks into my bed. its gotten to such a habit for me that even if she falls asleep on the couch i put her in my bed. i knwo this is a problem in my gf's eyes. she thinks its bad for my daughter too. what are the issues for my daughter at 4 sleeping with her daddy every night (she sleeps in her own bed at mommys)
  • Sounds like it's time to compromise! Maybe your little one and your g/f could work something out between themselves, a plan or a deal.
  • It is a difficult situation. Does she stay with you for a week, then mom a week? My ex & I had this issue too. Our little guy (3) likes to sleep with us. At my house, (where he is most of the time at dads every other wkend)he goes to sleep in his bed, no problem but often he crawls into bed with me around 2am! I don't mind. With dad, he won't even go to sleep in his own bed! The difference I see between dad & I is that I am consistent & no nonsense. We have a bath, brush our teeth, read two books & to bed. If he starts to cry (which only happens when dad helps!!) or whatever, I just tell him goodnight & I'll be back in a little bit. I have told him he doesn't have to sleep but must stay in his room. I have a gate that leans against the wall in the hallway. He knows if he comes out of the room I will put the gate to block the door. I have NEVER had to put the gate up!! He goes to the door, calls me & I always come to see what he needs. Personally, I don't think co-sleeping is a bad thing until & unless the parent starts to resent it. It is obviously interfering with your life! So, you need to decide how you want to handle this. A child needs consistency and limits. Having these actually gives a child a sense of control because they know what to expect. A child will push to the limit to find what those limits are! My son knows that there are limits with me, and he knows that he can push dad to the point where he can what he wants. Let me tell you that my son is happy, and he cheerfully wishes me a good night along with a big hug and kiss from his bed. It can be done! It is hard to stand firm because they will get upset, but it works! Good luck!
  • i assume she has a childs bed-why not the two of you(gf & u) climb into her bed and crowd her till she begs you to go to your bed? it worked really quickly with my daughter. just keep rolling around and sticking your rear end out-she will get totally frustrated and give in.
  • Maybe you could get her a Daddy Bear to sleep with her. When my son first moved into his new bed, we had a Daddy Bear that held a light for him (a bear lamp). He kept the light on all night, and stayed in bed. With my other son,(around age three)it was harder, because he was a lot more needy. We set up a sleeping bag on a mattress in our room. He couldn't have any of his own things in our room, and finally decided he would rather stay in his own room. It took about two months.

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