2 1/2 Year Old Not Sleeping in His Room

We went through this scenario with our first daughter when she was three. It was impossible to get a decent night of sleep! I feel for you. We ended up putting a crib mattress (we had an extra) on our floor with her sleeping bag and a pillow so that when she woke up and wanted to be with us she could just quietly come in and sleep on the floor next to our bed. That went on for about six months. We didn't cave and let her in our bed anymore after establishing this other routine. We eventually set up an incentive plan to get her to stay in her own room - can't remember what it was now but think about what your child would want. I think she had to spend 7 nights in her room and then we took her out for ice cream or something. Your son may be a little young to understand the incentive concept but you can definitely create boundaries to keep him out of your bed.

Another method often used is to walk them back to bed and tuck them back in without engaging in conversation. From what I've heard, this process can often be hell for a few nights of going back and forth repeatedly, but once they get the message I think it works pretty well.

You know your son best and what he will respond to and how comfortable you feel providing nighttime nurturing vs taking a hard line. I don't feel that there is a "right way" to deal with sleep issues. The most important thing is that the family is well-rested so go with your gut and try something. Good luck!

Mine started coming into bed with us around that age also. I have put in night lights, had them pick out their own "bedtime" stuffed animal at the store for them to sleep with. I have let them fallen asleep to movies ( have the extra light) but with out fail they still came into our bed at some point in the middle of the night. When one comes in shortly after the second follows ( they sleep in the same bed, they wont sleep alone). We have picked them up out of our bed and put them back into their bed and again with out fail they return to our bed a little bit later.

I hope you find something that works for you because mine are now 4 and 5 and they still are sleeping in our bed every night... I haven't had a great night sleep in years!

No advise, just wanted to let you know your not alone... and I have 2 extra kiddo's in our bed... so it could always be worse! :)

This is always a tricky situation. Some families love co-sleeping, but it has to work for everyone. Since you are not able to sleep well, then it's not working for all 3 of you and the situation needs tweaking.

I love the positive reinforcement technique - use a sticker chart and reward even the slightest positive behavior changes. Start by reading and winding down in his own room. My kids loved putting all the stuffed animals to bed. Maybe you can even lay on the floor or sit in a rocking chair until he falls asleep (make sure you tell him you'll leave when he does so he doesn't wake up scared). He could earn a sticker if he falls asleep in his own bed, then for staying in his bed most of the night, then for the entire night, etc. It's all about feeling safe and learning to feel comfortable in their own beds.

If my kids want snuggle time, or have a bad dream or leg cramp, I get into their bed so they can fall back asleep in their own space, then I sneak out.

Good luck!

It's very simple. When he comes to your bed in the middle of the night, you walk him back to his bed and put him in it. Then go back to bed. Don't carry him, no talking (except for "you sleep in your bed") and that's it.
Yes, you will repeat it for many nights, probably several PER night the first few...
But if you want him in HIS bed, that is what has to happen, or he will be in YOUR bed.