Should children sleep in their parents bed?
“Fairy stories are more than true, not because they tell us there are dragons, but because they tell us they can be defeated.”
G.K. Chesterton
When my children were very young, I stood toe-to-toe with many people insisting they respect my wishes and not threaten my children with tales of dragons and the boogyman that hides under beds.
I literally demanded that my children’s bedroom be considered a safe haven for them - a place to be respected - a place they’d never fear sleeping.
Creating that safe environment made my life so much easier!
I made certain my kids were home at their naptime every single day so they could sleep safe and secure in their own bed.
Like clockwork, the boys were ready for bed between 7:30 and 8:00 PM every single night. In fact, there were times I was actually insulted, telling me I should not force my kids to be on such a strict schedule. That was until the one person who criticized me most was visiting when one my boys began insisting “mommy, I want to go to bed NOW!”
The boys room was as dark as it could be to allow for solid sleep - and to this day, they like to sleep with their rooms as dark as they can get them. I used to play a radio or keep a fan going on their room to create a sleep habit that wouldn’t be interrupted by low level noises. And to this day, I can sit in the family room, watching television and it doesn’t disturb them in the least.
As the mother of twins, I found it an absolute necessity to create positive habits such as this. Without them, I would have never had the ‘me time’ that was so necessary for me to keep my sanity.
I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with creating a strict schedule where sleep habits are concerned. I do think that a parents room should be a parents room. In as much as children should have their space, parents should to.
Children should feel as though their room is the one place they can always feel safe from dragons and where they are the hero in the fairy tale.
What are your thoughts? Should children sleep in their parents room or bed?
Tags: parenting, sleep habits, dragons, boogyman
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POSTED IN: Parenting Discussion
9 opinions for Should children sleep in their parents bed?
Maria
Oct 26, 2007 at 5:05 pm
I think it is an incredibly personal decision– to cosleep or not– with many different factors playing a role. We co-sleep now mostly because I work full-time, mother full-time, and need every ounce of rest I can get. My husband is currently overseas and with a 10 month old baby, life is crazy.
Just because it is right for us right now though, doesn’t mean that it will be right in another year… or is it necessarily for everyone.
www.proveninsomniacure.info » Should children sleep in their parents bed?
Oct 27, 2007 at 12:11 am
[…] Gayla placed an interesting blog post on Should children sleep in their parents bed?.Here’s a brief overview:The boys room was as dark as it could be to allow for solid sleep - and to this day, they like to sleep with their rooms as dark as they can get them. I used to play a radio or keep a fan going on their room to create a sleep habit that … […]
www.proveninsomniacure.info » Should children sleep in their parents bed?
Oct 27, 2007 at 3:10 am
[…] Gayla put an intriguing blog post on Should children sleep in their parents bed?.Here’s a quick excerpt:The boys room was as dark as it could be to allow for solid sleep - and to this day, they like to sleep with their rooms as dark as they can get them. I used to play a radio or keep a fan going on their room to create a sleep habit that … […]
www.proveninsomniacure.info » Should children sleep in their parents bed?
Oct 27, 2007 at 9:21 am
[…] Gayla added an interesting post today on Should children sleep in their parents bed?.Here’s a small reading:The boys room was as dark as it could be to allow for solid sleep - and to this day, they like to sleep with their rooms as dark as they can get them. I used to play a radio or keep a fan going on their room to create a sleep habit that … […]
renee
Oct 27, 2007 at 10:45 am
my 3 yearold use to sleep in her crib for 12 hr stetches between 7months to 16 months old then when i went back to work pregnant again she would fight her sleep at night, i was to tierd and to pregnant and gave in put her with me, we have been that way ever since, she is alittle restless with me and wakes up frequently, she is totally afraid to sleep alone, and at one point i had a bassinent and her in my room.thank god dad sleeps n other room, i do get good rest, but some times my other child now 16months tries to get in cries at night too.I wonder if this is going to affect my younger child, she may feel less loved, But i need sleep too, and my 3year old is very advanced and smart she knws all the ways not to go in own bed, we tried for 4 weeks and she woke up 6 - 9 times every night and wouldnt nap…please HELP!!!!!!
Bee
Oct 27, 2007 at 3:22 pm
My hairy chest and pits got in the way of too much sharing… muffling screams as you get exfoliated by tiny sleeping hands kind of sharpens thinking about preparing a special bedroom haven for the little ones.
I installed their room with a comfy chair, invaluable for night feeding when they were small and now for reading stories or kipping in when they’ve caught something nasty and will chunder through the night.
When wee feet came padding through I’d decamp to the comfy chair, to watch over them as they slept - and after one uncomfortable night designated big bear as “guardian of dreams”… he now sits in for me whilst I snooze undisturbed.
Safe space and monster hunting.
Oct 29, 2007 at 3:35 am
[…] at Supernanny Rules, Gayla has posted an article on creating a room free of ogres, trolls and bogeymen under the bed. […]
DArrin
Dec 2, 2007 at 8:06 am
I belive that a kid has there own room & bed & that, NO. Kids should not sleep with there parents. My Girlfriend has a 11 year old son & still today she’ll let him sleep in her bed. I think it’s wrong & a very sick thing. I have a 7 year old son, He sleeps in his own bed when he’s with me & the same with my Ex-wife. We don’t belive in haveing our kid sleep with us. My girlfriend has always let him sleep with her. I tried to put a stop to it but all he does is cry & argue with her & tells her when & when he sleeps. He’s in total control of her life & i belive like i said, Sleeping with your parents is wrong. That kid is 11 yrs old & he will have problems.
So My Cousin Calls Me Today - Tweak3D.Net
Dec 10, 2007 at 3:45 pm
[…] Should children sleep in their parents bed? Just some interesting info to take in. Here is the technique. Video clips, Techniques and Advice from the Supernanny Television (TV) ShowTV Clips - Stay in Bed Technique […]
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