Teaching Your Child to Sleep Alone

Training our children to sleep alone can be a big mission for some parents. But still, this is a signifcant “step” that we need to be persistent so that the family can have sufcient rest. Our children can develop their confdence to become more independent.

Would you like your child to stay in their own room so your whole family can enjoy a good night’s sleep?

Steps to Take with Your Child

1. Provide reassurance. The imagination of monsters, burglars, and other imagined dangers is often why your child wants you by their side. Validate their feelings. Comfort them after a nightmare and give them a stufed toy to hug.
2. Spend time together. Schedule one-on-one time during the day for activities or take a short walk. Your child may also need more attention.
3. Talk it over. Have an open chat with your children; ask them what can help them sleep alone. If they cannot articulate, ask them to get the scenarios they would be afraid of. If they still need to, get them to draw something.
4. Start early. The earlier you begin this process, the easier your life will be. Children stick to certain habits, and it is hard to break them, many experienced parents would tell them how they regret not starting early.
5. Train in intervals. You need to create new practices if your child is already used to late-night and active routines before bedtime. Tell them you will be away and assure them to check on the bed every 5 to 10 minutes. You can increase the intervals once there is an improvement.
6. Proceed gradually. If your child needs more persuading, take a few interim steps. Sit with them on their bed until they fall asleep or let them sleep on a mattress on your bedroom foor temporarily.
7. Be boring. Let your child know it is not so fun to have you around. Limit your conversation and cuddling so they feel it is not a thrill to have you.
8. Add lighting. Your child may be afraid of the dark if you’re lucky. A small and dim light might work.
9. Ofer rewards. Educate them that sleeping on their own is a signifcant achievement. Give your kids praise or small treats for the nights they cooperate. Stickers and sugarless gum are good choices.

Step For You

1. Examine your motives. Be honest with yourself about the role you might be playing in the situation. Some parents encourage their kids to share their bedroom, especially when they like their company or want to avoid communicating with their spouse.
2. Create a barrier. Have you woken up in the morning only to find that your child slept in your bed? Increase the difficulties for them to approach you or lock your bedroom. They will get used to it after a while; it is sometimes about how you train them.
3. Be firm. If you refuse to make exceptions, you can reclaim your bedroom faster. Persistence pays of.
4. Model good sleep habits. Once each family member enjoys their bed, you can help them have sweet dreams. Stick to consistent bedtimes and limit late-night snacking and TV.

We need some “me-time” for ourselves at night. However, many parents have been forgoing that as they could not get over their children’s fussing and typically give in. We ought to rest and sleep well to cope with our responsibilities the next day.