Time to Switch to a Big Boy Bed - Need a Little Advice

Here's what always worked for me - I just told my boys if they got out of bed, they would have to sleep in their crib (I always left the crib up). I would give them 1 warning per night, and then if they got out again, I would put them in their crib to sleep (but I never even had to). Just the threat of it always worked. But you do have to be willing to follow through IF you need to. But I always closed the door/light off. Less ways to get distracted that way. My boys always did fine.

I wouldn't worry about the mismatching sheets - you could always put a matching blanket on top of the sheets, but no one is going to care if it looks weird. It's a kids room, it's functional. :)

The best Idea I ever saw, a friend of mine had a kid who would play around when it was time to sleep, but if she left the door open he would wander around the house.
They took the door off the hinges and replaced it with a screen door, similiar to a front door, the bottom was opaque, but the top was plexiglass so they could see in and check on him without opening the door. You can also find ones with a handle that is a little higher than most so it is out of reach for the kids.

Good luck...and I agree that hyping the new bed up and having him go shopping with you is an awesome idea...

use a gate its really not that bad. as for the bedding who cares what it looks like? do you have people over often just to look at his room? let him pick out some new sheets and worry about the rest later!

We just transitioned our 2 1/2 yr son into a new room and a new bed since we have a baby on the way. We made sure to talk it up and get him really excited. It helped that our neighbors had to do the same about 6 months ago so I told him he would have a bed like his friends. I let him pick out the sheets and when his dresser came he picked where his clothes would go. he still has his same blankets and some other things that we brought over so he still has familiarity. As far as getting up...we have had a few nights but we make him get back in his room and we lay with him for a short time until he falls back asleep. I never let him come in our bed and start a bad habit unless it is pretty much morning. The white noise works well too. I gave him a sleep sheep that makes some nature sounds that seems to help soothe him. It would make me nervous confining our child to his room should he ever NEED to get out. I wouldn't worry too much...it will work itself out and probably go smoother than you think. I actually left the squeek on his door so I could hear if he does come out of his room!

No one will see the sheets with the baby decorations but you and your son. And if anyone else does and thinks ill of you for it, they're ridiculous! Do what works for you. Special sheets will help make the transition easier, go for it. If it really bothers, you could do a neutral comforter (like plain blue or green) so that no one will see the sheets when the bed is made. We didn't switch our son until he was almost 3 and he didn't get out of bed, so I can't help you with that part. Good luck!

Now is a good time for the switch but let him be a part of choosing the new junior bed and bedding Mom. We did this when our daugther switched to her "big girl bed" and she was so proud. We didnt move her to a full twin until she was almost 5 just got an inexpensive junior bed which was great. It is low to the ground and a perfect size for toddlers. If you can I would maybe just do a new coat of paint over the summer if you will eventually plan to change the room completely, get rid of any baby borders etc. A few gallons of paint will not be costly. let him pick the paint too once you steer him towards a shade you and Dad can live too, with not an incredibly intense color that is not restful. How fun, Good luck Mom.

We have the big-kid sheets mixed with nursery decor. My son doesn't care, and it's actually nice to have the familiar stuff there for him, mixed in with the new. He is excited by the sports-themed sheets but comforted by the rocking chair, animal curtains, etc. It looks a little crazy but it's not a big deal. I am planning to just wait til we've picked a big boy room theme to redecorate.

I keep my son's door totally closed. I use similar tactics to Jen B. We also run a fan or humidifier in there, so the white noise drowns out other sounds of the door, etc. We got a video monitor as well which gives me peace of mind. I can't see the whole room but I can see that my son is in his bed and in what position.

Good luck!

I used a gate at first, and then eventually just stopped using it. When my baby wakes up she comes right to our room to wake me up (if i'm not already up). Instead of picking out a character for her sheets I just went with a brightly colored set (with shapes on them) that sort of fit the theme of her room. So like look at walmarts bedding for teen boys, then later you can go with the character he likes. Have fun with the transition. I made a big deal out of my baby sleeping in her big girl bed. I still clap everytime she gets in it at bed time when I say its time to lay down (I switched her when she's 1). =) Good Luck!

I put WD40 on all the hinges of my son's doors from time to time and I turn the knob completely and close it while I still have it completely turned then I slowly release the knob after closing. I think I could be a cat burglar if time permitted;) But I had to perfect the silent entry so I could check on mine as well. So seriously no squeaky hinges is a must! Now I will say that my kids have slept through hurricanes, lawn mowers etc...so once they are asleep, they do tend to stay that way, but I figure why take chances! I have never had my older son go anywhere in the house but straight to wherever we are. If he is out of his bed, it is because he is looking for us. I did put a child safe knob protector on the back door and the door leading to the garage just in case, but in a year we have had no problems. Also, we do discipline our son for getting up once he is down. Not for things like sickness or being scared, but if he just tries to get up saying he isn't sleepy, he is sternly returned to bed. So once they realized that getting up to play and fight sleep doesn't yield happy returns, they stay in their rooms! Good luck, I think it will go easier than you think, and I don't think you have to change your room decor, he is going to be soooooooooo excited to have that big boy bed and he isn't going to even think about the rest of the room!:)