3 years old and he still wants to sleep with mommy!

SkyChaser · Nov 14th, 2009, 19:03 PM

Hey girls!
My son is 3 years old, and while he is very mature and independent, he still wants to sleep with me!

Whilst I do let him, I don't want him to get used to sleeping with me, so how can I be lenient about him sleeping with me, but still expose him to his own room?

His room is very him, and everything he wants and needs, is in his room. It's boyish and very 3 year old-worthy! To be specific, is Spongebob Squarepants themed. Hey, that's what he wanted.

So are there any tips to get him used to sleeping in his own room? Without me hanging with him in his room when it's time for bed?

Sarahkka · Nov 15th, 2009, 00:45 AM

I moved my son into his own bed at about seven weeks, so I don't think I have any experience that might help you. Just some possible thoughts...
It's tricky. You'd want him to associate sleeping on his own with being a big boy and it being really fun to have his own room, but you don't want him to feel separation anxiety over it.
Hmmm, bribes?

Could he earn something special for being a big boy and sleeping in his own bed? Or would that imply that he is failing somehow if he needs to be with you at night? Ack! I don't know! I'm not very helpful! Sorry!
I wonder if you posted this in the Natural Parenting section if you would get a more helpful response? Lots of members in there practise Attachment Parenting and would have way more experience than I would.
Good luck with it!

SkyChaser · Nov 15th, 2009, 01:22 AM

Thanks for the reply!
Tonite he slept in his own bed, without me asking him to, or even giving him the red flag.

I'm guessing he knows what I'm doing and getting tips for on the web.

brownhairedmom · Nov 18th, 2009, 18:59 PM

I don't really know what to tell you because I don't co-sleep on a regular basis, although I'd LOVE to...she stopped around 7 months, it was just more comfortable for the both of us if she slept in her crib.

All I know is that my cousin had issues with her little boy until he was four, and the only way she got him to sleep in his own room was to let the dog sleep on his bed with him.

AP Mama · Nov 20th, 2009, 20:54 PM

All 4 of our kids wanted to sleep with us at that age and beyond. My girls are 9 and 11 and still love to sleep with mama when we're staying at Grandma and Grandpa's and I have my own bed.

Right now our 2 y/o sleeps with us but we've had at least one child in bed for 11 1/2 years now. Luckily my husband supports cosleeping too.

I think it often helps if you increase the cuddling during the day, though, since they feel like their need for close mama time is already met. I think during some phases they just need a little extra snuggle time too.

BTW, my 6 y/o would love a Sponge Bob room!

~Alicia

Nov 14th, 2009, 19:03 PM	#1
SkyChaser Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The Big Apple... Posts: 18	3 years old and he still wants to sleep with mommy! Hey girls! My son is 3 years old, and while he is very mature and independent, he still wants to sleep with me! Whilst I do let him, I don't want him to get used to sleeping with me, so how can I be lenient about him sleeping with me, but still expose him to his own room? His room is very him, and everything he wants and needs, is in his room. It's boyish and very 3 year old-worthy! To be specific, is Spongebob Squarepants themed. Hey, that's what he wanted. So are there any tips to get him used to sleeping in his own room? Without me hanging with him in his room when it's time for bed?

Status: Offline

Nov 15th, 2009, 00:45 AM	#2
Sarahkka Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 8,746	I moved my son into his own bed at about seven weeks, so I don't think I have any experience that might help you. Just some possible thoughts... It's tricky. You'd want him to associate sleeping on his own with being a big boy and it being really fun to have his own room, but you don't want him to feel separation anxiety over it. Hmmm, bribes? Could he earn something special for being a big boy and sleeping in his own bed? Or would that imply that he is failing somehow if he needs to be with you at night? Ack! I don't know! I'm not very helpful! Sorry! I wonder if you posted this in the Natural Parenting section if you would get a more helpful response? Lots of members in there practise Attachment Parenting and would have way more experience than I would. Good luck with it!

Status: Online

Nov 15th, 2009, 01:22 AM	#3
SkyChaser Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The Big Apple... Posts: 18	Thanks for the reply! Tonite he slept in his own bed, without me asking him to, or even giving him the red flag. I'm guessing he knows what I'm doing and getting tips for on the web.

Status: Offline

Nov 18th, 2009, 18:59 PM	#4
brownhairedmom Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 6,444	I don't really know what to tell you because I don't co-sleep on a regular basis, although I'd LOVE to...she stopped around 7 months, it was just more comfortable for the both of us if she slept in her crib. All I know is that my cousin had issues with her little boy until he was four, and the only way she got him to sleep in his own room was to let the dog sleep on his bed with him.

Status: Offline

Nov 20th, 2009, 20:54 PM	#5
AP Mama Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 12	Ours were like that All 4 of our kids wanted to sleep with us at that age and beyond. My girls are 9 and 11 and still love to sleep with mama when we're staying at Grandma and Grandpa's and I have my own bed. Right now our 2 y/o sleeps with us but we've had at least one child in bed for 11 1/2 years now. Luckily my husband supports cosleeping too. I think it often helps if you increase the cuddling during the day, though, since they feel like their need for close mama time is already met. I think during some phases they just need a little extra snuggle time too. BTW, my 6 y/o would love a Sponge Bob room! ~Alicia

Status: Offline

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3 years old and he still wants to sleep with mommy!

Ours were like that