Guess whats not helping?
This pandemic,thankyouverymuch.
Kids are more cooped up than ever.
Theyre dealing with pent-up energy and strange new schedules, plus some extra anxiety mixed in for good measure.
Its understandable if kids find falling asleep in their own beds difficult right now.
Still, that doesnt mean a parent wants to share their bed indefinitely.
She says shes scared.
How do you stop co-sleeping with an older child?
(In my home, there is a lot ofMinecrafthappening.
Truly, a LOT ofMinecraft.)
In your question, Im hearing partly that youwantto stop co-sleeping and partly that you think youshouldstop co-sleeping.
Youre probably going to want to buckle in for a rough ride, is what Im saying.
Instead, really listen to them.
Validate their emotions by listening and brainstorm solutions together.
If shes scared of the dark, you could go shopping for a nightlight together.
If shes scared of monsters, brainstorma creative antidote for them.
If shes afraid to be alone, maybe keeping the bedroom door cracked open will help.
Just be careful not to go too far into protective mode.
Next, Ball suggests writing up a bedtime routinetogether.
The order is less important than the consistency of the routine.
Praise her efforts to follow your new schedule, particularly as she becomes successful in staying put.
Stay consistent, consistent, consistent.
Have a parenting dilemma youre grappling with?
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