Ouch. That's hard. I know some little children climb into their parents bed for comfort because they are scared of monsters or they're having nightmares or something, or like you said, they are attached. I am not sure if I have an answer for you. He might feel awkward enough to go to his own room if you're there. Is it possible for him to have a roommate? He might also be just lonely and want some company.

Make a big deal about his own new room at your place --Let him help decorate it and pick out his sheets, etc for 'his own big boy bed' -- maybe allow him to have a TV in his room to watch videos until he falls asleep at night. . . Also, get his dad to help with offering special treats -- say a trip to a toy store, a movie or his favorite restaurant if he stays in his own room every night for a week.

i would say talk to his dad about it first and get him on your side. if the boy senses at all that you're coming between him and his dad that could get ugly in a few years [i only speak from experience]. encourage the boy, get the dad to help. and yes make a big deal out of the room, have daddy establish clear rules too. good luck with all of that! =)

Considering the way you worded your post, I get the feeling your a step parent. If this is the case, I really don't think it's in your hands. This is a matter for his father, and he is going to have to resolve this on his own. You can definitely encourage your spouse to fix the problem, but I don't think there's anything you can do directly without causing some sort of rift and outstepping boundaries between step parents and children that aren't their own. If that's not the case, the other advice is good.

Make it seem like a treat, and like he's a big boy. Get him stuffed animals to sleep with, a night light, and some fun comforting things. And expect it to take time to learn, and don't be upset if it's a gradual process to learn to sleep alone after so many years.

For starters since he is going to be going through a move you can set the stage for the move to his own room by giving him ownership of it. Do this by allowing him to pick new bedding or paint color or anything that makes him feel it is "his". Then you begin the long slow process of undoing what has been done. It isn't going to happen overnight and you will have to be patient. After all just because you would now like to have "his" spot isn't going to make that suddenly an excellent idea to him. In fact, quite the opposite if you don't handle it very tactfully. His father should be in charge of this process to avoid any resentment towards you which will only cloud the issue further. He, the dad, can start by making the transition of all snuggling story time etc happening in his son's new room. So that THAT room becomes the happening place as far as getting attention goes. Dad may have to spend a few weeks sleeping next to Jr, then on the floor, then further away, until he is off in his own room...that's the price you pay for letting them sleep with you when they are young. It may also help to invest in a cd player/cassette player and getting (libraries carry them) story books on tapes. Sometimes a kid will stay just a little longer in their own bed if they have an engaging story to listen to. If the son comes into your room in the night...as easy as it would be to go back to sleep with him there Dad has to take him back to his own bed...even if he has to stay with him awhile.

I don't agree with the TV...that could start a really bad habit that you don't want to start. But I do agree that you guys should make it special with plenty of night lights!!! And maybe keep the doors open for him. I live in Texas where a lot of the rooms have the master down and the secondary bedrooms up, which makes it harder on kids especially if their only children.

Tell him the bogeyman lives under your bed and comes out at night to eat children and from now on mommy and daddy need to fight him off every night or else he'll get him and the only way for him to be safe is to sleep in the other room at night.

Wow, are you in for a load of fun! I would have had his Dad start the process along time ago. Tonight for sure! If you allow your bf to move into your place and continue to let his son sleep with him, you will establishing boundaries for your household, that you don't want, and that honestly, are unhealthy for your bf & his son. You better make it clear to your bf, that you are not comfortable with the "community bed" arrangement, and agree upon what each of you is willing to do and deal with, so that you don't have any misunderstandings once they are in your home.

His dad is going to need to be the one to lay down the law for this one. But considering that he hasn't during the first six years of the kid's life....well, good luck with that. I'd recommend you have a have a serious conversation with your new shack-up honey sooner rather than later.