OK, lets be honest here. One of the most important things we do as parents is teach our child to go to bed and stay there. Oh, sure, to the "non parent" that doesn't seem to rate anywhere near as high as say, crossing at the lights, not drinking bleach, don't run with scissors...but to the parents amongst us, we know exactly how important naptime and bedtime are to our sanity. A no nap child or one that's up til the wee hours of the morning means a child that's miserable as heck, and that Mommy and/or Daddy don't get any precious "down time". Its a simple equation, really. Sleeping child = happy parents.
So, that all being said...what do you do if you have a child like The Princess, that excels at being a Crib Escapee? Fear not, I have the answer for you! (Or at least some good suggestions) No duct tape or pharmaceuticals required!
Preparation Is Key
You must prepare yourself for the bedtime battle. This could be anything from visualization to copious amounts of caffeine to ensure that you outlast your reluctant sleeper. A good book, some word puzzles, a snack, a non alcoholic beverage or three (I say non alcoholic simply because around here, one glass of wine would have me falling asleep long before the bedtime battle was over) are all to the good. Prepare yourself for a long battle. Much better to be over prepared than under.
Bedtime Routine
Yes, here we go again. Bedtime routine, same as you've heard everywhere and anywhere else when looking for advice on getting your kids to stay in bed. Trust me, it helps. Not to keep them there, granted, but its all about consistency.
Now What?
Ok, so your Princess (or Prince) has had their tub, zipped into their jammies, read their bedtime book, all tucked in with their favourite cuddly toy, and you step outside their bedroom, to hear the thump of little feet hitting the floor and rushing to the door way. Now what do you do?
Four Easy Steps
Ok, so maybe "easy" is misleading...but honestly, it won't be as complicated as the last toy you found yourself assembling in the wee hours of Christmas morning.
- Pick up the offender, ignoring any howling, thrashing, sobbing that may occur.
- Place child back in crib, without a comment.
- Walk away.
- Repeat over and over again, until child gives in and falls asleep.
See? Its not complicated...exhausting, absolutely. Deafening? Yup. Wearing, testing patience, enough to make you daydream of joining the nearest travelling circus? Yes, yes, and absolutely.
Baby Gates
If you don't have one, get one. For little ones that like to journey out of their bed or crib while the rest of the house is asleep, a baby gate is an invaluable tool for keeping them safely in their room. Chances are, they'll howl like a banshee upon discovering that they can't leave their room, which will wake the house, but better a 2 am wake up than the dangers available to a toddler roaming the house, even out of the house, unattended.
Most Importantly
Consistency is the key. If you give in at the 101st return to the bed, your child has learned that they can outlast you, and won't give in for at least 102 trips back. Stick to your guns, and before you know it, bedtime will be sweet dreams, rather than prolonged nightmares!
