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I don't agree with everything that happens on Supernanny for sure, but I do agree with how she instructs parents to handle the bedtime struggle for children who are toddlers and older. It does work if you stick with it and it's so important for your toddler to get the sleep that he needs while parents get some time to wind down, have time together as a couple or just relax.
Before you make the move from the crib to the big bed, one thing I recommend above all others is that you have a working bedtime routine in place before you make the switch. I also have some more tips that will help make the crib-to-bed transition a little easier for you and your toddler.
If you are feeling a little guilt at your child's difficulties during the transition or find that your child seems genuinely insecure or unwilling to separate at bed time, you might try something that worked with my son. I gave him a special card (we called it a "moon card" because it had a nighttime scene pictured on it) and reassured him that I was always close by. I told him that he needed to stay in bed unless he needed to go to the bathroom. Then I told him he could bring the card to me one time in the night for a snuggle for any reason, whether it was because he was scared or just missing me.
I was surprised how quickly this worked and what security the card gave him. Initially he used the card every night, but in a very short time, he would just fall asleep holding it. That was the beginning of peaceful nights for this Mom and while it was hard to find my way through at first, it was well worth it for both of us in the end.
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I love the part about the “moon card”. That is such a clever idea! I wish we’d had something like that when A.J. was little. He did not like change at all. He wanted his crib. He didn’t get up and down all the time but he was hard to get to sleep. Brittany was thrilled when she got her big bed. She actually stayed in it. I will pass on this advice to her to use with Jaysie.