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Congratulations on having a baby and taking such good care of him or her that they have reached an age where they can sleep in their own bed. While it may be tough at first, both for them and possibly for you, it is an important step in growing up, just like learning to use a toilet and tie your own shoes. It may not be fun, but in time you will see it is for the best. Read on to pick up a few tips on how to start the process of getting your child to sleep in their own bed.
Their Bedroom
Making the child’s bedroom a room they actually want to be in is invaluable. After all, who wants to sleep in a dungeon or a cluttered home office with a dirty mattress strewn about the floor? Think about what your child likes, be it horses or Super Man or Disney characters or the color yellow….decorate the room accordingly. Lord willing, this will be where they sleep for a very long time so the more effort you put into it now, rest assured it will be worth it in the long run. A comfortable mattress is also very important in making a bedroom complete. A great resource for finding your child’s first mattress is at 10giants list of mattresses.
Lighting
Children are humans and humans like different things. Think of yourself, even. Some people like to sleep with a nightlight. Some do not. Some people like the television on. Some do not. Some like a fan or other white noise while others need complete and utter silence. If you do not already know, you must find out what your child needs to be able to get a good night’s rest and make sure that it is available in their bedroom.
Bedtime
Starting your child on a new routine requires a steady practice of that new routine. Pick a bedtime and stick to it so they can get used to it and know when that time rolls around, they need to start their nighttime activities and go to sleep. In time, it will become second nature. Some things to keep in mind when choosing a bedtime for your child or how early they need to get up, how tired they are from the day and how much noise will still be going on in the household. For example, if for some reason the father will not stop playing the drums until 8 pm, then there is no sense trying to make the child go to bed prior to that.
In conclusion, setting up your child to sleep in their own bed is a very good thing, both for them and for you. After years of being with the child at night, you may find you enjoy finally having a little extra adult time in the evening, even if it is only for an hour or less. Furthermore, it will be good for the child. Having their own bed is going to have to happen sooner or later so rip the Band-Aid off and get it done. After all, if they choose to go to college, it may be viewed as strange if you are sleeping in their dorm.
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