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M.P.
Lv 5
M.P. asked in Pregnancy & ParentingParenting · 10 years ago

A 7 yr. old that refuses to sleep by herself.?

My friend's stepdaughter is 7 (Yes, my friend - not me - I don't know how to advise her because I haven't encountered that problem yet w/ my 3 yr. old.). She crawls into bed w/ the adults at night and refuses to sleep by herself. They have tried everything, from pleading, to bribing, to blatant enforcement or getting a special teddy to keep her company at night, but nothing worked so far. She throws fits when she is locked out of their room, and comes back to their bed if she is placed in hers after falling asleep. I hear she snores and kicks, not to mention wakes up throughout the night and disrupts everyone's sleep schedule. I theorized that perhaps she does it to spend time with her busy father, as the the refusal to sleep by herself doesn't seem to be fear driven, but I could be wrong. My friend comes to work tired and agitated every day. In her desperation she went as far as making up a bedbug infestation to deter the kid from climbing into bed with them - but to no avail - it didn't seem to bother her one bit! Has anyone dealt with a child who had just gotten too accustomed to sleeping w/ her parents and refused to stop? Is there a way to get her to sleep in her own room?

7 Answers

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  • 10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    This often happens if you have the child joining you in the communal bed in the early years, then it's hard to get them out of it later. I'm sorry to be blunt, but this is a problem of their own making.

    Nevertheless, it needs sorting out, and it isn't going to be easy. A 7 year old can't be put into a cot anymore, after all. I think that basically, the overall discipline may need addressing, as a child that will not reluctantly comply isn't respectful of the parent's authority.

    I'd try to have a calm, daylight hours conversation with her, a little like this....

    "Tonight, you can have a LAST sleep with mum and dad, and after that it's finished. You are 7 now, and I'm not having it anymore. Mom and dad need to sleep" (do this over a weekend, so a sleepless night isn't going to interfere with work).

    The following night, every time she tries to get into the bed, you relentlessly refuse to let her in, and walk her back to bed, and walk out of her room without comment-dont engage in debate, after all the rule has been made, and she is likely to try to negotiate. She'll keep trying to get into bed for hours, hoping that you will relent and so it will become a battle of who can stay up the longest.....and it won't be fun, but you have to 'draw the line in the sand' Essentially, if you let her in that bed again, you have lost, and your problem will never be solved.

    Remember, parents are the boss, not kids. End of story. If you don't want to be ruled by the kids, make your own rules.

    Good luck to your friend

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    I think they should either lay on the floor next to her bed (or on her bed) until she falls asleep. They could tell her that they're going to sleep in her room that night, and then they quietly sneak out after she's asleep. Or, they could have her play catch, run laps in the yard, etc. before bed, so she's totally tired. Then one of them could say, "You get in your bed, I'll read you a story, and then maybe later you can sleep in my bed." She'll conk out during the story. Good Luck

    Source(s): Mother of 3 and 1 more on the way!
  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Take one of her blankets and wrap it around you for an hour, then give it to her before she goes to bed. It will smell like you, and it will be easier for her to fall asleep.

  • ?
    Lv 6
    10 years ago

    I and my wife would have a big meal (without the kid) of baked beans, hard boiled eggs and beer, then turn up the AC really cold, and go to bed as usual.

    Source(s): Odoriferous hilarity would ensue, and the kid would retreat post haste to less fragrant quarters.
  • 10 years ago

    Let her fall asleep with them then put her in her room and lock the door lol justs kidding

    Source(s): Me
  • 10 years ago

    Put her to bed and leave the room. When she comes out of her room tell her it's time for bed nicely and put her to bed again. Next time she comes out of bed just tell her 'it's time for bed' and put her to bed again. The next time she comes out of bed don't communicate with her and just put her to bed. Keep putting her to bed without communicating with her until she finally stays there. Good luck to your friend!

    Source(s): Supernanny.
  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    sex

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