Night Time Woes

A young mom writes: "My 3yr old twins are not sleeping in their beds and it's gone from bad to worse with them coming in at all hours and it's just nuts.  Does anyone have any incentives (or threats lol) that have worked to keep kids in their beds?  I've tried the Santa angle most recently and it's not working.  Neither is anything else I've tried.  Thoughts?"

I truly wish there was an "easy" answer.  Not that it is hard, it is just really an issue of getting the parent(s) to do what needs to be done.


Draw a new line in the sand, the old one has gotten blurry.
Decide what you will and will not accept.  Can they come in at all?  Saturday morning?  Think this through.  I don't say this to make you feel guilty.  You just need to decide what you are expecting and STICK WITH IT
I, personally, wanted my children to sleep in their own beds.  No exceptions.  IF I invited them in one night because my husband was out of town, etc, I  would make it VERY CLEAR that this was a treat.  


BUT
lets get them sleeping in their own beds first
.  
First thing in the morning, on a stay-at-home day, sit down with the girls and tell them the new rule.  Discuss it with them. Make a chart.  Give an incentive.   1 night, a game with mom before bed, 2 nights, a __________ 3 nights___________  a full week a trip to the icecream store etc    (Make these rewards small, you don't want to have to be offering Disney World after a week of success!)
 Explain that it is not a punishment but will be punishable. Not only will they miss out on a treat but there will be a consequence of ie missing a favorite show, going to bed earlier, whatever
Speak of it ALL DAY LONG.  Have them tell you about it.  Make sure they are understanding.  Make a chart together.   
When you tuck them in bed, do so after they have brushed their teeth, washed up and had a little time with you. Reiterate over and over that they are to stay in bed. 
Say goodnight, pray and leave the room.  I liked to softly  play a CD for them  to go to sleep with.  Expain that if they wake up, they need to just turn over and go back to sleep.   If they need to use the bathroom let them know they need to crawl right back in bed after.


Mom and Dad,   make up your mind, NO MATTER HOW TIRED YOU ARE,  that you are going to see this through.  
I hope that this is  clear for you.  This is a very doable situation.
If you would like to email me your phone # I am more than happy to discuss this with you to help you work it out.  It really will not be that long before they are both sleeping soundly and so are you
BTW do they still take naps?


Blessings!
  

  Also make sure their bed is an inviting place to sleep.  A bed made with clean sheets, blanket, good pillow, case and favorite teddy are important.